Some of his writings have additionally drawn criticism.

The father of modern economics and the architect of many of the current economic structures, Adam Smith is often regarded as the founder of modern economics and the inspiration for many of the economic structures still in use today. He did, however, have detractors.

Alfred Marshall was one of several who vocally criticized Adam Smith's notion of economics, and he is likely the most well-known. Well-known economist Alfred Marshall vigorously disputed Adam Smith's interpretation of the term "economy." Smith's renowned "Invisible Hand" thesis holds that each person is guided, as though by an invisible hand, in pursuing his or her own selfish interests in order to provide the best possible economic outcome for everyone.

Joseph E. Stiglitz also attacked Adam Smith for his work on The Invisible Hand, saying at a public event that "the reason the invisible hand sometimes looks invisible is that it is not there." As a result, even though his books were warmly accepted all across the world, there have been a few outliers.