This book is a critical discussion of Adam Smith's moral philosophy set out in The Theory of Moral Sentiments: critical in the sense of combining exposition with a critical evaluation of Smith's views and arguments. While falling short of the eminence of The Wealth of Nations in the history of economic theory, the Moral Sentiments is a worthy contribution to ethical theory, especially for its concept of the impartial spectator, interpreted here as a theory of conscience built up from moral judgements made by the spectator exercising sympathy and imagination. The book also has an historical int ... More

This book is a critical discussion of Adam Smith's moral philosophy set out in The Theory of Moral Sentiments: critical in the sense of combining exposition with a critical evaluation of Smith's views and arguments. While falling short of the eminence of The Wealth of Nations in the history of economic theory, the Moral Sentiments is a worthy contribution to ethical theory, especially for its concept of the impartial spectator, interpreted here as a theory of conscience built up from moral judgements made by the spectator exercising sympathy and imagination. The book also has an historical interest, showing Smith's thought in the context of British moral philosophy of the 18th century. Scottish thinkers formed a notable section of that important segment of the history of philosophy. Beginning with criticism of Hobbes, they developed a distinctive line of theory (mostly empiricist), the chief figures being Francis Hutcheson, David Hume, Adam Smith, and Thomas Reid. Smith's theory may reasonably be judged the most stimulating and the most persuasive. Smith's thought on ethics developed as he grew older, and there is a substantial difference between the early editions of his book and the 6th edition, published a few months before his death. This study makes a special point of keeping an eye on this difference, thus bringing out the progression of Smith's thought.