invisible hand

简明释义

看不见的手

英英释义

例句

1.The invisible hand can be seen in how competition drives innovation in various industries.

在竞争推动各行业创新的过程中，可以看到看不见的手的作用。

2.Adam Smith introduced the idea of the invisible hand in his work on economics.

亚当·斯密在他的经济学著作中引入了看不见的手的概念。

3.In a free market, the invisible hand regulates supply and demand without any central planning.

在自由市场中，看不见的手在没有任何中央规划的情况下调节供需。

4.Economists often refer to the invisible hand when discussing how markets operate efficiently.

经济学家在讨论市场如何高效运作时常常提到看不见的手。

5.The concept of the invisible hand suggests that individuals pursuing their own interests can lead to positive outcomes for society.

“看不见的手”的概念表明，个人追求自身利益可以带来对社会的积极结果。

作文

The concept of the invisible hand is one of the most profound ideas introduced by the economist Adam Smith in his seminal work, 'The Wealth of Nations.' This metaphor describes the self-regulating nature of a free market economy, where individuals pursuing their own self-interest inadvertently contribute to the overall economic well-being of society. The invisible hand suggests that when individuals act in their own interest, they unintentionally benefit others, creating a more efficient allocation of resources. To understand the invisible hand, it is essential to consider the principles of supply and demand. In a competitive market, producers strive to meet consumer needs while maximizing their profits. As consumers express their preferences through purchasing decisions, businesses respond by adjusting their production to align with these demands. This interaction leads to a natural equilibrium where resources are allocated efficiently without the need for centralized planning or intervention. For instance, consider a local bakery. If the bakery produces delicious bread that attracts many customers, it will likely increase its output to satisfy demand. As more people flock to the bakery, it may raise prices due to high demand. This price increase signals other bakers to enter the market, leading to more competition. Consequently, the initial bakery must innovate and improve its offerings to retain customers. This cycle of competition and innovation driven by individual self-interest ultimately enhances the quality and variety of goods available to consumers. However, the invisible hand does not imply that markets are perfect or free from failures. There are instances where self-interested actions can lead to negative externalities, such as pollution or monopolies, which can harm societal welfare. Therefore, while the invisible hand provides a framework for understanding market dynamics, it also highlights the necessity for regulatory measures to address these shortcomings. Governments often intervene to correct market failures, ensuring that the benefits of the invisible hand are maximized for society as a whole. Moreover, the concept of the invisible hand extends beyond economics into various aspects of life. It serves as a reminder that individual actions, even when motivated by personal gain, can have broader implications. For example, in the realm of social entrepreneurship, individuals who create businesses aimed at solving social problems often find that their ventures not only fulfill their personal ambitions but also contribute positively to their communities. This synergy between personal goals and societal benefits echoes the essence of the invisible hand. In conclusion, the invisible hand is a powerful metaphor that encapsulates the intricate relationship between individual actions and societal outcomes within a market economy. While it emphasizes the efficiency of self-regulating markets, it also calls attention to the importance of addressing market failures through appropriate regulations. Understanding the invisible hand enriches our comprehension of economic principles and encourages us to reflect on how our personal choices impact others. By recognizing this interconnectedness, we can strive to create a more balanced and equitable society, where the benefits of economic activities are shared widely, and the invisible hand works towards the greater good.

“看不见的手”这一概念是经济学家亚当·斯密在其开创性著作《国富论》中提出的最深刻的思想之一。这个隐喻描述了自由市场经济的自我调节特性，在这种经济中，个人追求自身利益的同时，无意中促进了社会整体经济福利的提升。“看不见的手”表明，当个人出于自身利益行事时，他们无意中使他人受益，从而创造出更加高效的资源配置。要理解“看不见的手”，必须考虑供需原则。在竞争市场中，生产者努力满足消费者需求，同时最大化自己的利润。当消费者通过购买决定表达他们的偏好时，企业会调整生产以符合这些需求。这种互动导致了自然平衡的形成，资源得以高效配置，而无需中央计划或干预。例如，考虑一家当地面包店。如果这家面包店生产的面包美味可口，吸引了许多顾客，它可能会增加产量以满足需求。随着越来越多的人涌向面包店，它可能会因需求旺盛而提高价格。这一价格上涨信号促使其他面包师进入市场，导致更多的竞争。因此，最初的面包店必须创新并改善其产品，以留住顾客。这种由个人自利驱动的竞争和创新循环，最终提升了消费者可获得商品的质量和多样性。然而，“看不见的手”并不意味着市场是完美的，或是没有失败的情况。有时，自利行为可能导致负外部性，例如污染或垄断，这可能损害社会福利。因此，尽管“看不见的手”提供了理解市场动态的框架，但它也强调了通过监管措施来解决这些缺陷的必要性。政府通常会干预以纠正市场失灵，确保“看不见的手”的益处最大化为整个社会所用。此外，“看不见的手”的概念超越了经济学，延伸到生活的各个方面。它提醒我们，即使出于个人利益的行动，也可能产生更广泛的影响。例如，在社会企业家的领域，旨在解决社会问题的个人创建的企业，往往发现他们的事业不仅实现了个人抱负，还对社区产生了积极的贡献。这种个人目标与社会利益之间的协同作用，呼应了“看不见的手”的本质。总之，“看不见的手”是一个强有力的隐喻，概括了市场经济中个人行为与社会结果之间错综复杂的关系。虽然它强调了自我调节市场的效率，但它也提醒我们重视通过适当的监管来应对市场失灵。理解“看不见的手”丰富了我们对经济原则的理解，并鼓励我们反思个人选择如何影响他人。通过认识这种相互联系，我们可以努力创造一个更平衡和公平的社会，在这里，经济活动的收益得到广泛分享，而“看不见的手”则朝着更大的利益运作。