The Theory of Moral Sentiments is a classic work of philosophy written by Adam Smith. In this book, Smith explores the nature of human morality and the role that our emotions and sentiments play in shaping our moral behavior. He argues that our moral judgments are not based solely on reason or self-interest, but are also influenced by our feelings of sympathy and benevolence towards others.Smith begins by examining the concept of sympathy, which he defines as the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. He ...
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The Theory of Moral Sentiments is a classic work of philosophy written by Adam Smith. In this book, Smith explores the nature of human morality and the role that our emotions and sentiments play in shaping our moral behavior. He argues that our moral judgments are not based solely on reason or self-interest, but are also influenced by our feelings of sympathy and benevolence towards others.Smith begins by examining the concept of sympathy, which he defines as the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. He argues that sympathy is a fundamental part of human nature and that it plays a crucial role in our moral judgments. He then goes on to explore a range of moral issues, including justice, virtue, and the nature of happiness.Throughout the book, Smith emphasizes the importance of cultivating virtuous habits and behaviors, such as honesty, kindness, and generosity. He also argues that our moral judgments should be guided by a sense of impartiality and fairness, rather than by self-interest or personal biases.Overall, The Theory of Moral Sentiments is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of human morality and the nature of ethical behavior. It remains a seminal work in the field of philosophy and continues to be widely read and studied today.What can he added to the happiness of the man who is in health, who is out of debt, and has a clear conscience? To one in this situation, all accessions of fortune may properly be said to be superfluous; and if he is much elevated upon account of them, it must be the effect of the most frivolous levity. This situation, however, may very well be called the natural and ordinary state of mankind.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
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Add this copy of The Theory of Moral Sentiments to cart. $55.65, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2010 by Kessinger Publishing.
Add this copy of The Theory of Moral Sentiments to cart. $58.95, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Kessinger Publishing.
Add this copy of The Theory of Moral Sentiments to cart. $92.95, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Kessinger Publishing.
While the current laissez-faire capitalists hold up Adam Smith as their model, the real Adam Smith was first and foremost a teacher of moral philosophy in his native Scotland. Read his ideas on natural and desirable human virtues such as sympathy. Contrast that with the real author of our current form of capitalism, Ayn Rand, who declared compassion a vice. Compare Smith's ideas on moral duties with Rand's derision of "do-gooders," as her followers call those who use their education to help others. Compare Smith's altruistic concern for the human condition and how to better the economic condition of all free people by concentrating on lifting ourselves out of miserable economic conditions and fostering the cooperation and peace needed for capitalism instead of devoting our lives to the constant European religious wars with which Smith was so familiar.
This book will give you the necessary insight into the vision of the future author of the Wealth of Nations and the world he hoped to foster. Contrast that with the highly SOLE and separate self-interest of Ayn Rand and you will begin to see how dangerous philosophies can be when their ideas are usurped by those who do not understand the philosophy or change it into something Smith would not recognize and I believe would find abhorrent, based on the ideas he presented in The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Rand was scarred by almost dying in her flight from totalitarian communism and naturally reacted to government as "the enemy."
It is ironic that those who hold government to be their natural enemy think they are following Adam Smith, who was a government bureaucrat and believed government naturally provided some necessary services for the people that smaller fragmented entities could not provide or provide as efficiently! A must read for those interested but perhaps bewildered by their own economic condition and the conflicting moral messages sent by Smith vs. Rand.
