The foundation for a general system of morals, this 1749 work is a landmark in the history of moral and political thought. Readers familiar with Adam Smith from The Wealth of Nations will find this earlier book a revelation. Although the author is often misrepresented as a calculating rationalist who advises the pursuit of self-interest in the marketplace, regardless of the human cost, he was also interested in the human capacity for benevolence — as The Theory of Moral Sentiments amply demonstrates. The greatest prudence, Smith suggests, may lie in following economic se... Read More
The foundation for a general system of morals, this 1749 work is a landmark in the history of moral and political thought. Readers familiar with Adam Smith from The Wealth of Nations will find this earlier book a revelation. Although the author is often misrepresented as a calculating rationalist who advises the pursuit of self-interest in the marketplace, regardless of the human cost, he was also interested in the human capacity for benevolence — as The Theory of Moral Sentiments amply demonstrates. The greatest prudence, Smith suggests, may lie in following economic se... Read More
Description
The foundation for a general system of morals, this 1749 work is a landmark in the history of moral and political thought. Readers familiar with Adam Smith from The Wealth of Nations will find this earlier book a revelation. Although the author is often misrepresented as a calculating rationalist who advises the pursuit of self-interest in the marketplace, regardless of the human cost, he was also interested in the human capacity for benevolence — as The Theory of Moral Sentiments amply demonstrates. The greatest prudence, Smith suggests, may lie in following economic self-interest in order to secure the basic necessities. This is only the first step, however, toward the much higher goal of achieving a morally virtuous life. Smith elaborates upon a theory of the imagination inspired by the philosophy of David Hume. His reasoning takes Hume's logic a step further by proposing a more sophisticated notion of sympathy, leading to a series of highly original theories involving conscience, moral judgment, and virtue. Smith's legacy consists of his reconstruction of the Enlightenment idea of a moral, or social, science that embraces both political economy and the theory of law and government. His articulate expression of his philosophy continues to inspire and challenge modern readers.
Reprint of the A. Millar, London, 1790 edition.
Details
Price: $14.95
Pages: 368
Publisher: Dover Publications
Imprint: Dover Publications
Series: Dover Philosophical Classics
Publication Date: 1st December 2006
Trim Size: 5 x 8 in
Illustration Note: 0
ISBN: 9780486452913
Format: Paperback
BISACs: PHILOSOPHY / Social PHILOSOPHY / Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Table of Contents
PART I: of the propriety of action, consisting of three sections SECTION I: Of the sense of propriety SECTION II: Of the degrees of the different passions which are consistent with propriety SECTION III: Of the effects of prosperity and adversity upon the judgment of mankind with regard to the propriety of action; and why it is more easy to obtain their approbation in the one state than in the other PART II: of merit and demerit; or, of the objects of reward and punishment; consisting of three sections SECTION I: Of the sense of merit and demerit SECTION II: Of justice and beneficence SECTION III: Of the influence of fortune upon the sentiments of mankind, with regard to the merit or demerit of actions PART III: of the foundation of our judgments concerning our own sentiments and conduct, and of the sense of duty PART IV: of the effect of utility upon the sentiment of approbation consisting of one section PART V: of the influence of custom and fashion upon the sentiments of moral approbation and disapprobation consisting of one section PART VI: of the character of virtue consisting of three sections SECTION I: Of the character of the individual, so far as it affects his own happiness; or of prudence SECTION II: Of the character of the individual, so far as it can affect the happiness of other people SECTION III: Of self-command PART VII: of systems of moral philosophy: consisting of four sections SECTION I: Of the questions which ought to be examined in a theory of moral sentiments SECTION II: Of the different accounts which have been given of the nature of virtue SECTION III: Of the different systems which have been formed concerning the principle of approbation SECTION IV: Of the manner in which different authors have treated of the practical rules of morality Endnotes
The foundation for a general system of morals, this 1749 work is a landmark in the history of moral and political thought. Readers familiar with Adam Smith from The Wealth of Nations will find this earlier book a revelation. Although the author is often misrepresented as a calculating rationalist who advises the pursuit of self-interest in the marketplace, regardless of the human cost, he was also interested in the human capacity for benevolence — as The Theory of Moral Sentiments amply demonstrates. The greatest prudence, Smith suggests, may lie in following economic self-interest in order to secure the basic necessities. This is only the first step, however, toward the much higher goal of achieving a morally virtuous life. Smith elaborates upon a theory of the imagination inspired by the philosophy of David Hume. His reasoning takes Hume's logic a step further by proposing a more sophisticated notion of sympathy, leading to a series of highly original theories involving conscience, moral judgment, and virtue. Smith's legacy consists of his reconstruction of the Enlightenment idea of a moral, or social, science that embraces both political economy and the theory of law and government. His articulate expression of his philosophy continues to inspire and challenge modern readers.
Reprint of the A. Millar, London, 1790 edition.
Price: $14.95
Pages: 368
Publisher: Dover Publications
Imprint: Dover Publications
Series: Dover Philosophical Classics
Publication Date: 1st December 2006
Trim Size: 5 x 8 in
Illustrations Note: 0
ISBN: 9780486452913
Format: Paperback
BISACs: PHILOSOPHY / Social PHILOSOPHY / Ethics & Moral Philosophy
PART I: of the propriety of action, consisting of three sections SECTION I: Of the sense of propriety SECTION II: Of the degrees of the different passions which are consistent with propriety SECTION III: Of the effects of prosperity and adversity upon the judgment of mankind with regard to the propriety of action; and why it is more easy to obtain their approbation in the one state than in the other PART II: of merit and demerit; or, of the objects of reward and punishment; consisting of three sections SECTION I: Of the sense of merit and demerit SECTION II: Of justice and beneficence SECTION III: Of the influence of fortune upon the sentiments of mankind, with regard to the merit or demerit of actions PART III: of the foundation of our judgments concerning our own sentiments and conduct, and of the sense of duty PART IV: of the effect of utility upon the sentiment of approbation consisting of one section PART V: of the influence of custom and fashion upon the sentiments of moral approbation and disapprobation consisting of one section PART VI: of the character of virtue consisting of three sections SECTION I: Of the character of the individual, so far as it affects his own happiness; or of prudence SECTION II: Of the character of the individual, so far as it can affect the happiness of other people SECTION III: Of self-command PART VII: of systems of moral philosophy: consisting of four sections SECTION I: Of the questions which ought to be examined in a theory of moral sentiments SECTION II: Of the different accounts which have been given of the nature of virtue SECTION III: Of the different systems which have been formed concerning the principle of approbation SECTION IV: Of the manner in which different authors have treated of the practical rules of morality Endnotes
