Law & Liberty
•80% Informative
The Theory of Moral Sentiments ( TMS ), first published in 1759 ; An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (Walth of Nations) was Smith ’s first book.
Charles Darwin and Immanuel Kant referred to Smith as his “Liebling,” or favorite, after having read TMS .
Smith argues that human beings are not born with moral sentiments, but they develop them over time.
He says the desire for “the pleasure of mutual sympathy” of sentiments draws people of similar sensibilities together, even as it draws them away from those with whom they have an antipathy’ of sentiments.
Smith: The desire for mutual sympathy of sentiments also serves to develop, even unintentionally or unwittingly, standards.
Smith 's account of the initiation and development of moral sentiments shares many similarities with economic markets.
Smith ’s account of TMS is the most important work in moral philosophy since Aristotle 's Nicomachean Ethics .
There is much more in TMS to learn from and appreciate beyond these provocative claims, but perhaps this has sufficed to whet the reader.
VR Score
88
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91
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37
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English
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51
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