Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam 2025 - Free AP World History Practice Questions and Study Guide

Adam Smith is widely recognized as a key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment primarily due to his influential work, "The Wealth of Nations," published in 1776. This work laid the foundations for classical economics and introduced concepts such as the division of labor and the idea of the "invisible hand," which describes the self-regulating nature of markets. Smith's emphasis on reason, empirical evidence, and moral philosophy aligns closely with the ideals of the Scottish Enlightenment, which celebrated human rationality and progress through enlightenment thinking.

The Scottish Enlightenment was characterized by a flowering of intellectual and philosophical advances primarily in Scotland during the 18th century, marked by contributions from various thinkers who prioritized reason and innovation. While David Hume was also a significant figure in this intellectual movement, his focus was more on philosophy and epistemology, particularly regarding empiricism and skepticism. He is often paired with Smith in discussions of the period, but Smith's contributions to economics often overshadow Hume's philosophical insights in terms of broad societal impact. John Stuart Mill, while influential, was later associated with the Utilitarian movement rather than the Scottish Enlightenment itself. Francis Bacon predates the Scottish Enlightenment and is primarily linked to the development of the scientific method rather than the economic and