Doux-Commerce

Term Paper # 101199

Economics
Philosophy

Doux-Commerce

An analysis of David Hume's concept of doux-commerce and the pursuit of luxury.

904 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses doux-commerce. It analyzes David Hume's emphasis that the necessity of earning a living in a free-market environment requires people to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner, especially with their trading partners. It describes why Hume has been described as an apologist for luxury for his explanations regarding doux-commerce.

From the Paper:

"In conclusion, David Hume has been described as an apologist for luxury because he emphasized that in a market setting, self-interest is the primary motivation for conducting oneself with politeness, sophistication, and cordiality. This motivation reflects the necessity of earning a living in a free-market system, which compels people to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner as they do business. This "doux-commerce" thesis describes the fundamental conditions of interaction through which participants must interact if they wish to thrive and prosper."

Sample of Sources Used:

Hume, David. "Of Commerce." Class Handout.
_ _ _. "Of Refinement in the Arts." Class Handout.
Mandeville, Bernard. The Fable of the Bees: And Other Writings. New York: Hackett Publishing Company, 1997.