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This article examines the precious notion of “relational goods” as it has been developed in philosophy, sociology and economics over the past thirty years. If classical economics cannot make place for such types of goods, is it not because it only sees individuals¾individuals which make choices (between goods) and which only make relations in order to better maximise these goods? Yet there are certain goods, friendship, reciprocal love and civic involvement for example, for which the good is the relationship itself. By recognizing how the good is the relation in and for itself that Adam… Smith's error can be redeemed and an avenue be opened onto a resolutely anti-utilitarian economy.