Christian Wolff on Subsidiarity, the Division of Labor, and Social Welfare

In more than one way Christian Wolff (1679-1754) has provided the grammar for modern social sciences in general, but economics in particular. Next to his path-breaking contributions to philosophy and international law, which are generally recognized, he has also pioneered the social sciences and provided the notions with which modern economics is still largely working. This is important also for modern law and economics research, since Wolff conceived of both law and economics still largely as one discipline and therefore was able to integrate naturally what has today to be integrated conscientiously, and with effort.