The Wealth of Nations at 250 (2026 Conference) - The Sower Episode 99 (audio)

Perspectives on Adam Smith's 1776 Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Presentations by Erik Matson (CUA), Paul Mueller (AEIR), Jordan Ballor (CRCD), and John Robinson (JMU). Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 15, 2026. 0:00 The Sower Episode 99 Introduction by Christopher Anadale1:00 Panel introduction by Erik Matson2:58 Erik Matson: Theory, Reality, and Public Policy in The Wealth of Nations18:41 Paul Mueller: The Continuing Relevance of Wealth of Nations to Public Policy 250 Years Later34:32 Jordan Ballor: A Biblical Myth at the Origins of Smith's Wealth of Nations49:43 John Robinson: Adam Smith and Pope(s) Leo on the Origin and Significance of Private Property ====== The 2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI. Registration now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/ The 2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13. Proposals due Sept 1, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/ To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/ Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3 Chapters (00:00:00) - The Sower Episode 99 Introduction by Christopher Anadale(00:01:00) - Panel introduction by Erik Matson(00:02:58) - Erik Matson: Theory, Reality, and Public Policy in The Wealth of Nations(00:18:41) - Paul Mueller: The Continuing Relevance of Wealth of Nations to Public Policy 250 Years Later(00:34:32) - Jordan Ballor: A Biblical Myth at the Origins of Smith's Wealth of Nations(00:49:43) - John Robinson: Adam Smith and Pope(s) Leo on the Origin and Significance of Private Property