The Theory of Moral Sentiments
by Adam Smith
Assigned by 1 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1759
- Form
- Treatise
- Language
- English
- Length
- Long · 400 pp300 to 700 pages
- Difficulty
- Demanding3 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendThe Theory of Moral SentimentsLiberty Fund, 1982The Glasgow Edition text in paperback, with an introduction by D. D. Raphael and A. L. Macfie.
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Smith's first book, and the one he revised until his death, is a theory of how moral judgment works. Its foundation is sympathy, our capacity to imagine ourselves in another's situation and to feel a version of what they feel. We approve of conduct when we can go along with it, and we judge ourselves by imagining an impartial spectator looking on. From this Smith derives accounts of propriety, merit, justice, the sense of duty, the corrupting admiration of the rich and the great, and the character of the virtuous person, and surveys the systems of moral philosophy before him.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns The Theory of Moral Sentiments are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
