Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments: A Critical Commentary

Description

Many contemporary readers are just now discovering Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments (TMS). It is increasingly being recognised as a foundational text in moral philosophy and in Adam Smith's oeuvre more generally. This is the first companion to guide readers through TMS and uncover what Smith thinks, why he thinks it, why he might be wrong to think it! While Adam Smith is best known for a Wealth of Nations there is a history of seriously misinterpreting this text as an unnuanced celebration of unfettered capitalism. The Theory of Moral Sentiments is a kind of corrective to these naïve readings. As such, any serious consideration of Adam Smith's work should also include TMS. John McHugh's guide provides detailed analysis of TMS while never losing sight of the text in the context of Smith's writings and world view more generally. It offers both an introduction to the importance and insight of TMS while also functioning as a great way in to Adam Smith as a philosopher. Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Abbreviations Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Smith’s Survey of Answers to the Psychological Foundation of Moral Judgment Question Section 1: Rationalist Theories Section 2: Self-Love Theories Section 3: Sentimentalist Theories Chapter 3: Smith’s Own Answer to the Psychological Foundation of Moral Judgment Question Section 1: Sympathy1 Section 2: Sympathy and Approbation Section 3: Judgments of Propriety Section 4: Judgments of Merit Section 5: Completing Smith’s Foundational Account of Moral Judgment Chapter 4: Building upon the Foundation:: Smith’s Full-Blown Account of Moral Judgment and Its Impact on Moral Action Section 1: The Desire for Mutual Sympathy Section 2: The Perspective Trading Account Section 3: The Autonomy Account Section 4: A Closer Look at the Driving Forces in the Two Accounts33 (A) The First Spectrum of Ways of Desiring Mutual Sympathy (B) The Second Spectrum of Ways of Desiring Mutual Sympathy (C) The Two Spectra and the Love of Praiseworthiness (D) The Turn to the WIS (E) The Relationship between the Two Pictures Section 5: Smith’s Account of Moral Motivation49 Section 6: Correction and Cultural Differences Chapter 5: Smith’s Survey of Answers to the Nature of Virtue Question Section 1: The Concept of Virtue in Smith Section 2: Mandeville’s Denial of the Reality of Virtue7 Section 3: Smith’s Taxonomy of Possible Virtue Theories Section 4: Prudence Theories Section 5: Benevolence Theories Section 6: Propriety Theories Chapter 6: Smith’s Own Answer to the Nature of Virtue Question and Full-Blown Account of Virtue Section 1: Smith’s General Schema of Virtue Section 2: The Practical Impact of Answers to the Nature of Virtue Question Section 3: Justice Section 4: Beneficence Section 5: Prudence Section 6: Self-Command Chapter 7: Smith’s Metaethics and Account of Normativity Section 1: Smith’s Metaethics Section 2: Smith’s Account of Normativity Chapter 8: Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index