The Theory of Moral Sentiments
- ISBN-10
- 0486119580
- ISBN-13
- 9780486119588
- Series
- The Theory of Moral Sentiments
- Category
- Philosophy
- Pages
- 370
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2012-08-31
- Publisher
- Courier Corporation
- Author
- Adam Smith
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.
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Other editions
-
- 2018-10-19
- 478 pages
- Paperback
- Franklin Classics Trade Press
-
- 2014-03-12
- 480 pages
- Paperback
- Nabu Press
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