亚当·斯密(1723—1790年)是英国古典经济学主要代表人物之一。他的理论与著作对后来英国政治经济学的发展,对马克思主义的形成都产生过重大的影响和作用。特别应指出的是“古典经济学的思想成果及其从物质利益揭露阶级对立的根源,促成了历史唯物主义的产生。”所以,研究和挖掘亚当·斯密社会历史观和其经济理论中的积极成果,对于深刻认识唯物史观创立的必然性和科学性有着极为重要的意义。 一 亚当·斯密的社会历史观集中反映在他的两部代表著《道德情操论》和《国富论》中。由于受着阶级和时代的局限,亚当·斯密的社会历史观和这一时期其他资产阶级思想家一样,同样是以理性主义为其基础的。他在《道德情操论》中说:“人不论一般认为如何自私自利,在他的本性中总明显存在某些因素,这些本性的因素使他关怀别人的福祸,使别人的幸福成为对他本人的必需,即使他在这别人的幸福中,除了看到这幸福而引起的快慰以外,并无丝毫利得。怜悯,或是同情,便是属于这一类性质。”而在《国富论》中,他又指出,“人类的社会是一种交换的联 Adam Smith (1723-1790) is one of the leading representatives of British classical economics. His theory and writings had a great influence on the development of British political economy and the formation of Marxism. In particular, it should be pointed out that “the results of classical economics and its revealing the roots of class antagonism from material interests have contributed to the emergence of historical materialism.” Therefore, studying and mining Adam Smith’s view of social history and its economic theory The positive achievements have a very important meaning for deeply understanding the necessity and scientific nature of the establishment of historical materialism. A Adam Smith’s view of social history is mainly reflected in his two representations of “moral sentiment theory” and “the Wealth of Nations.” Due to the limitations of class and age, Adam Smith’s social and historical views are also based on the same rationalism as other bourgeois thinkers during this period. He said in The Theory of Moral Sentiments: “Regardless of what is generally considered to be selfishness, there are always obvious factors in his nature that make him care for the blessings of others and make others happy. His own need, even if he is in this other people’s happiness, except to see the happiness caused by the comforts, and did not get the slightest mercy, or compassion, it is a nature of this category. ”In the“ Wealth of Nations ”He also pointed out:" Human society is an exchange of union