
The Theory of Moral Sentiments
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Narrated by:
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Michael Lunts
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By:
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Adam Smith
‘How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it except the pleasure of seeing it.’
So begins The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759), the first major text by Adam Smith, who, seven years later, was to publish what was to become one of the major economic classics, The Wealth of Nations (1776). However, Smith regarded The Theory of Moral Sentiments as his most important work because in it he identified the profound human instinct to act not necessarily in self-interest but through, as he phrased it, a ‘mutual sympathy of sentiments’.
The work is divided into seven parts, starting with Part 1: Of the Propriety of Action, in which Smith proposes the idea that ‘Sympathy’ can underlie human actions towards others, prompted by various emotions, be it perception of misfortune in others or simply ‘the pleasure of mutual sympathy’. Other parts include ‘Of the Effect of Utility upon the Sentiment of Approbation’, ‘Of the Character of Virtue’ and finally ‘Of Systems of Moral Philosophy’.
In this concluding section, Smith considers the views of other philosophers, including Epicurus, Zeno, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and Hobbes, as well as the opinions of his mentor, Dr Francis Hutchison, an important influence. In short, Smith proposes that man’s sense of morality is interwoven with social instincts as much as reason or self-interest. Sympathy - the contemporary word we would use is empathy - is a universal and strongly held emotion in mankind, he says, imbued with virtue, prudence, justice and beneficence. The Theory of Moral Sentiments was, and remains, a milestone in Western philosophy.
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Great for aspiring philosophers
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What Makes Humans Humane
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just as relevant as The Wealth of Nations
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A Wonderful Description of Human Nature
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But the reading is good. This is a look at morality before even Freud incorrectly tried to unravel the mind and far before modern science dispatched with the will. The benefit here is to listen to some of the best 18th century rhetorical and unscientific musings about what we would call sociology and behavioral psychology. The medicine of the time still used blood letting, so one can’t judge too harshly. However, the real sentiment is that of “why do 18th century British feel they are superior?” And in that, the ideas are amusingly childish, but insightful.
Good Reading
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time for a long read?
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Stands the test of time as an excellent inquiry into the human conscience
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Keeping in mind, due to the age of the reference, some small portion of the information is dated in it's understanding. With some religious underpinnings that need be adjusted for in the understanding of today's world. However, this book is a gold mine in and of itself; and should be required reading for anyone on the precipice of, or well into their journey of emotional maturity and sociological understanding.
Required reading upon maturity
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TMS - Background for Human Behavior
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The text has value and makes for a good companion to Smith's more famous work: The Wealth of Nations. However, some parts have not aged well, especially when he talks about savages and females. (Tho to be fair, he doesn't assert that his views of them are based upon their inherent natures, but upon the natures of their societies.) Still, it should be required reading for those who read The Wealth of Nations, as the sentiments expressed here help clarify Smith's thoughts there.
Should be read by readers of The Wealth of Nations
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