invisible hand

[ in-viz-uh-buhl hand ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

(in the economics of Adam Smith) an unseen force or mechanism that guides individuals to unwittingly benefit society through the pursuit of their private interests.

invisible hand

A term used by Adam Smith to describe his belief that individuals seeking their economic self-interest actually benefit society more than they would if they tried to benefit society directly. The statement “ What's good for the country is good for General Motors, and vice versa ” expresses essentially the same belief.

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First recorded in 1775–80

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She felt as if an invisible hand were trying to erase Ekpar.

We need impact, the invisible heart of markets, to guide their invisible hand in order to achieve a safer, fairer and more sustainable world.

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And, the theory goes, the invisible hand of the market ensures the outcomes for society are optimal.

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When it comes to the behaviors that evolve by within-group selection, there is no invisible hand to permute selfishness into the common good.

Griffin is herself a character in the novel, the invisible hand on the other end of the tape recorder in all the interviews.

As in all economic transformations, the invisible hand of the market can only take us so far.

With an invisible hand she gently and winningly touched the springs of action in other hearts.

She felt a movement of the air close beside her and an invisible hand was drawn across her eyelids.

Though the princess shuddered, she consented, and the invisible hand was passed over her neck and throat.

Accidentally, so far as related to herself, Ruth went and gleaned in the field of Boaz; but she was guided by an invisible hand.

Her faith discerned an invisible hand, and rejoiced in an omniscient superintendance.

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