The Theory of Moral Sentiments
E30267
The Theory of Moral Sentiments is Adam Smith’s foundational philosophical work that explores the origins of human morality, sympathy, and ethical judgment.
Statements (48)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
book
→
philosophical work → |
| addresses |
origin of moral approval and disapproval
→
relationship between self-interest and morality → role of social interaction in moral judgment → |
| author |
Adam Smith
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|
| contrastsWith |
purely rationalist moral theories
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|
| countryOfOrigin |
Scotland
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|
| editionCount |
multiple revised editions by Adam Smith
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|
| emphasizes |
role of sentiments in ethics
→
|
| followedBy |
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
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|
| genre |
ethics
→
moral philosophy → philosophy → |
| hasCommentaryBy |
intellectual historians
→
modern economists → moral philosophers → |
| influenced |
Scottish Enlightenment thought
→
The Wealth of Nations → |
| keyConcept |
impartial spectator
→
merit and demerit → propriety of actions → self-command → sympathy as basis of moral judgment → virtue as prudence, justice, and beneficence → |
| language |
English
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|
| lastEditionYear |
1790
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|
| mainSubject |
ethical judgment
→
moral psychology → moral sentiments → morality → sympathy → virtue → |
| movement |
Scottish Enlightenment
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|
| notableIdea |
distinction between praise and praiseworthiness
→
importance of propriety over consequences in everyday morality → moral norms emerging from mutual spectatorship → |
| partOf |
Adam Smith’s overall moral and social philosophy
→
|
| philosophicalSchool |
British moral philosophy
→
moral sentimentalism → |
| placeOfPublication |
Edinburgh
→
London → |
| publicationDate |
1759
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|
| publisher |
Alexander Kincaid and J. Bell
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Andrew Millar → |
| structure |
seven parts in the final edition
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six parts in the first edition → |
| subtitle |
An Essay towards an Analysis of the Principles by which Men Naturally Judge concerning the Conduct and Character, first of their Neighbours, and afterwards of Themselves
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|
Referenced by (3)
| Subject (surface form when different) | Predicate |
|---|---|
|
Adam Smith
→
British Enlightenment → |
notableWork |
|
Scottish Enlightenment
→
|
notableWorkProduced |