Presents two apparently conflicting cases within the Adam Smith corpus of works. These are to be found in "The Theory of Moral Sentiments" and "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations". The two cases can be divided into the two broad categories of optimism and pessimism.

This work explores a contradiction in the work of Adam Smith which has been little noticed in the past but which has fundamental consequences for understanding his thought. The author explains two contradictory cases within the corpus of Adam Smith's writings: Smith argues for and against teleology and for and against a best regime, the first part of the book examines Smith's case for teleology and a best regime; the second part shows his case against these. The author concludes that Smith was both the Prophet and Cassandra of commercialism, and that optimist and pessimist coexist in Smith's oeuvre without resolution of the tension which is, at root, theological. Smith's theological view alternates between a fully harmonious earthly order and one in which humans must "reverently submit" to numerous injustices and disharmonies.

Smith's Optimism - His Case For Teleology: Teleology immanent in human nature and commerce
Historicized teleology and commercial society as the Telos of history
Economic and political conditions of the human Telos, or best regime. Smith's Pessimism - His Case Against Teleology: Smith's concerns about commercial society as the human Telos, or best regime
Smith's concerns about historical and non-historical teleology. Adam Smith - Optimist or Pessimist?: A partial synthesis of Smith's views.