(P/B) THE THEORY OF MORAL SENTIMENTS

Παρουσίαση

The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Smith's first and in his own mind most important work, outlines his view of proper conduct and the institutions and sentiments that make men virtuous. Here he develops his doctrine of the impartial spectator, whose hypothetical disinterested judgment we must use to distinguish right from wrong in any given situation. We by nature pursue our self-interest, according to Smith. This makes independence or self-command an instinctive good, and neutral rules as difficult to craft as they are necessary. But society is not held together merely by neutral rules; it is held together by sympathy. Smith argues that we naturally share the emotions and to a certain extent the physical sensations we witness in others. Sharing the sensations of our fellows, we seek to maximize their pleasures and minimize their pains so that we may share in their joys and enjoy their expressions of affection and approval. (From the publisher)

Edited by D. D. Raphael and A. L. Macfie.

Περιεχόμενα

ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF ADAM SMITH, LL.D., BY DUGALD STEWART
THE THEORY OF MORAL SENTIMENTS
Part First.: 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 Second.: 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 Third.: OF THE FOUNDATION OF OUR JUDGMENTS CONCERNING OUR OWN SENTIMENTS AND CONDUCT, AND OF THE SENSE OF DUTY
Part Fourth.: OF THE EFFECT OF UTILITY UPON THE SENTIMENT OF APPROBATION CONSISTING OF ONE SECTION
Part Fifth.: OF THE INFLUENCE OF CUSTOM AND FASHION UPON THE SENTIMENTS OF MORAL APPROBATION AND DISAPPROBATION. CONSISTING OF ONE SECTION
Part Sixth.: OF THE CHARACTER OF VIRTUE. CONSISTING OF THREE SECTIONS
SECTION I.: OF THE CHARACTER OF THE INDIVIDUAL, SO FAR AS IT AFFECTS HIS OWN 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 Seventh.: 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
CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING THE FIRST FORMATION OF LANGUAGES, AND THE DIFFERENT GENIUS OF ORIGINAL AND COMPOUNDED LANGUAGES
CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING THE FIRST FORMATION OF LANGUAGES, &c