Evaluation on The Theory of Moral Sentiments: Endless Challenge Between Morality and Wealth

O. Ä°nan ÅžENSES

Fiscaoeconomia, 2023, issue 3

Abstract: This study is the conclusion of an effort to re-read and re-evaluate Smith's original text, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, as a social theory, a moral life projection. Even though Smith's description of an individual depicts him as dependent on self-interest, which motivates him, and who acts towards enrichment and increase of his material wealth, but in fact, Smith’s individual is primarily knitted of moral concerns and takes care of the other. In the context of Smith's writing, first appears the individual, who recognizes and feels the other through sympathy and impartial spectator’s mediation. He is a responsible individual who tries to make his life virtuous in the name of sociality and harmonious unity, but in the end, we see him as someone pursuing pure wealth. In this study, will be accentuated the existence of an individual, who cares about the Smithian "other" and is relatively ignored by scientists, compared to the generally acknowledged caricatured Smithian individual, who pursues "self-interest". Will be exhibited the proofs of multidimensional character of Smith's individual discovered in the original text, and in conclusion will be shown that beyond the motivation of material interest, the concerns of knowing and being known by the other are an indispensable and necessary part of the Smith narrative.

Keywords: individual; society; well-being; wealth; sympathy; impartial spectator (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B12 I31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fis:journl:230308

DOI: 10.25295/fsecon.1262967

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