52 pages • 1 hour read
Adam SmithThe Theory of Moral Sentiments
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1759A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Adam Smith explores the nature of human morality through the concepts of sympathy and the impartial spectator, suggesting that our moral judgments arise from observing others and imagining how an objective observer would perceive our actions. He reconciles the 18th-century ideas of benevolence and self-interest by integrating them within a divine framework, leading to his later economic theories in The Wealth of Nations.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments is praised for its rich philosophical insights and foundational ethics concepts, influencing both economics and moral philosophy. Its complex prose can be challenging, but the depth of ideas remains relevant. Critics note it might be dense for casual readers but invaluable for serious scholars.
Who Should Read The Theory of Moral Sentiments?
A reader who enjoys philosophical exploration and ethics, particularly those fascinated by human behavior and morality, would appreciate The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith. Similar books targeting this audience include Immanuel Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals and David Hume's An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals.