Super Short Summary

The Worldly Philosophers by Robert Heilbroner explores the history of western economic thought through the lives and ideas of major economists like Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and John Maynard Keynes, who sought to understand how capitalist society functions. Heilbroner examines their personal histories, socio-political contexts, and significant contributions, highlighting their quest to decipher the market system's complexities and potential future. The book includes discussions on societal hardships and economic disparities.