Is Adam Smith's Impartial Spectator Selfless?

Maria Pia Paganelli

Econ Journal Watch, 2016, vol. 13, issue 2, 319–323

Abstract: For Adam Smith the impartial spectator is a universal mechanism which we use to develop moral judgment. Smith’s description of the man who achieves the most self-command and man who achieves the most humanity shows how the impartial spectator is not an abstract entity independent of an individual, but rather is an integral part of each individual. Talking about a selfless impartial spectator is therefore meaningless.

Keywords: Adam Smith; Theory of Moral Sentiments; impartial spectator; philosophy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 B12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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