This book sets forth a theory of how we come to be moral, of how this morality functions on both individual and societal levels, and of what forces are likely to corrupt our sense of morality. The main point that Smith makes is that our sense of morality is derived from our capacity to sympathize directly and indirectly with other people. We wish both to be praised and to be worthy of this praise, as well as to avoid both blame and blame-worthiness. On account of these interests, we must learn to temper our reactions to ...
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This book sets forth a theory of how we come to be moral, of how this morality functions on both individual and societal levels, and of what forces are likely to corrupt our sense of morality. The main point that Smith makes is that our sense of morality is derived from our capacity to sympathize directly and indirectly with other people. We wish both to be praised and to be worthy of this praise, as well as to avoid both blame and blame-worthiness. On account of these interests, we must learn to temper our reactions to other people, as well as our reactions to fortune: we are naturally more interested in our own affairs than anyone else is. Our actions are liable to become overblown and unacceptable unless we temper our egos and see ourselves in the same light in which society at large sees us. Smith believes in a benevolent and omniscient God, and concludes from this belief that our behavior is inherently moral.
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Add this copy of The Theory Of Moral Sentiments to cart. $22.33, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2017 by Gyan Books.
Add this copy of The Theory of Moral Sentiments to cart. $23.25, new condition, Sold by Media Smart rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hawthorne, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Kalpaz Publications.
Add this copy of The Theory of Moral Sentiments to cart. $48.75, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Gyan Books.
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.
