In Adam Smith's essay "Division of Labor," he reveals the many advantages of dividing the workforce into as many separate branches as possible. His use of multiple examples makes the essay easy to understand for the reader, as well as making a compelling argument in favor of the division of labor. Just as Jesus used parables to teach the people, Adam Smith uses examples to make his economic theories understandable to "the masses." Though Adam Smith's argument lacks in presenting psychological and environmental logos, he is able to use many tangible examples to make his argument very appealing to the pathos of his readers. .
Smith's main goal with his essay is to convince the reader that his economic theories are logical for the betterment of society. He attempts to do this in the most convincing, easily readable format possible. He accomplishes this goal by clearly stating the three positive effects that a divided labor system would have on the economy. .
1) Divided labor allows the individual worker to improve themselves at their particular job. 2) Divided labor saves time; workers are able to produce more in smaller amounts of time. 3) Divided labor provides motivation, as well as an opportunity, for the workers to create innovative solutions to simplify their jobs. (Smith 173) "The greatest improvement in the productive powers of labour, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity, and judgment with which it is any where directed, or applied, seem to have been the effects of the division of labour" (Smith 174). Smith is very confident in his theories, using phrases such as "The greatest" (Smith 174) and "The highest degree of" (Smith 175) to appeal to the pathos of his readers. These phrases were probably intended to assure the reader that Smith's economic theories are the most profitable. .
Unfortunately for Smith, this high level of persuasion comes at a cost; by focusing solely on the reader's pathos, Smith neglects to present the logistical aspects of implementing his theories.