God and the market: “invisible hand” of Adam Smith

The representation of the ”invisible hand” is central in contemporary debates about the features of the markets that form the basis for many other discussions on various topics of business ethics. Nevertheless, the importance of this concept in the writings of Adam Smith remains rather vague, especially when it comes to religious associations that are obvious for the scientist’s contemporaries. He used the theory of divine action and disposition of Providence by Isaac Newton that was mediated by the moderate Calvinism typical for Scottish social circles of the XVIII century. In the context of general providential point of view of Smith’s market, I affirm that the action of the invisible hand is aimed at limiting of the inequality and the outflow of capital that result in enhancement of the market system sustainability. Suggested insight into the invisible hand raises questions for contemporary religious and secular discussions that address the problem of the impact of global financial crisis on the market.