The method of analysis Adam Smith uses is relatively similar to the method economics generally uses today, especially the subfield of experimental economics. The method of analysis that Smith uses is coherent and consistent throughout his whole work. He searches for constant variables and then sees what variables are changed by exogenous changes. In particular, Smith looks for the constancy in human nature, and analyzes how historical and material circumstances change the incentives that the constant human nature faces. This method, applied to human conduct in all its aspects, makes it easy for many economists today to see some continuity between Smith’s political economy and today’s economic science.

中文翻译：

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亚当·史密斯和政治经济学的起源

亚当·斯密使用的分析方法与当今经济学普遍使用的方法比较相似，尤其是实验经济学的子领域。史密斯使用的分析方法在他的整个工作中是连贯一致的。他搜索常量变量，然后查看哪些变量因外生变化而改变。特别是，斯密寻找人性的恒常性，分析了历史和物质环境如何改变了人性的恒常性所面临的激励。这种方法适用于人类行为的各个方面，使今天的许多经济学家很容易看出斯密的政治经济学和今天的经济科学之间的某种连续性。