The Theory of Moral Sentiments

By: Adam Smith

Narrated by: Michael Lunts

Length: 16 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

‘How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it except the pleasure of seeing it.’ 

So begins The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759), the first major text by Adam Smith, who, seven years later, was to publish what was to become one of the major economic classics, The Wealth of Nations (1776). However, Smith regarded The Theory of Moral Sentiments as his most important work because in it he identified the profound human instinct to act not necessarily in self-interest but through, as he phrased it, a ‘mutual sympathy of sentiments’. 

The work is divided into seven parts, starting with Part 1: Of the Propriety of Action, in which Smith proposes the idea that ‘Sympathy’ can underlie human actions towards others, prompted by various emotions, be it perception of misfortune in others or simply ‘the pleasure of mutual sympathy’. Other parts include ‘Of the Effect of Utility upon the Sentiment of Approbation’, ‘Of the Character of Virtue’ and finally ‘Of Systems of Moral Philosophy’. 

In this concluding section, Smith considers the views of other philosophers, including Epicurus, Zeno, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and Hobbes, as well as the opinions of his mentor, Dr Francis Hutchison, an important influence. In short, Smith proposes that man’s sense of morality is interwoven with social instincts as much as reason or self-interest. Sympathy - the contemporary word we would use is empathy - is a universal and strongly held emotion in mankind, he says, imbued with virtue, prudence, justice and beneficence. The Theory of Moral Sentiments was, and remains, a milestone in Western philosophy.

Public Domain (P)2018 Ukemi Productions Ltd

What Makes Humans Humane

Important, interesting,, and amazing-- Adam Smith's insights into human nature are also timeless. Michael Lunts does an excellent job of reading this classic. All who invest the time to listen to and absorb its wisdom will come away better than when they started. Another excellent release from Ukemi Audiobooks. Highly recommended.

TMS - Background for Human Behavior

This book provides a reasoned explanation of how we function with reality and between one another. Beautifully written and explained. Very relevant to today as it was when written in the mid 1700s. So dense it deserves more than one reading.

Etiquette guide by emotionaly intelligent scholar.

Moral philosopher in enlightment age, Adam Smith has high EQ in mordern sense. That is interesting trait of him cause we know enlightment age as totally in rational atmosphere. He loved his mother very well, and has no relationship with women in life long time. So his two literature, this and Wealth of nations, is almost dedicated to his mother to be in charge as father and mother that give nation wisdom of economical supply and emotional serve. If I may say so, his two book maintain human mind as moderate intelligence.

Great for aspiring philosophers

Smith touches on issues of psychology and ethics that are rarely understood and yet he does so learnedly and with uplam. Highly recommended!!!

One of the best books ever written.

A book all humans should read. A top 5 for sure among all works in English.

time for a long read?

Very long tome, sometimes rambling and hard to follow. but it gives a thorough examination of behavior through the eyes of the time

Great and Timeless Knowledge

Wonderful wisdom from the past. As much as people have changed over the years, this shows that we remain complex but relatable beings.

Sheesh! Find The Summary

The narrator is the best part of this word salad. Hard to believe this was authored when type was set and pressed by hand. Unless you’re a purest or need general noise in the background skip this verbose classic for the Cliff’s Notes version.

just as relevant as The Wealth of Nations

it took a little bit to get into it, but the wisdom contained herein is pure gold.

Good Reading

Adam Smith is naive, antiquated, and an Englishman with an inflated sense of moral superiority over native peoples, perhaps the ethnocentric justifications of a colonizing citizen.

But the reading is good. This is a look at morality before even Freud incorrectly tried to unravel the mind and far before modern science dispatched with the will. The benefit here is to listen to some of the best 18th century rhetorical and unscientific musings about what we would call sociology and behavioral psychology. The medicine of the time still used blood letting, so one can’t judge too harshly. However, the real sentiment is that of “why do 18th century British feel they are superior?” And in that, the ideas are amusingly childish, but insightful.

superbly read version Smith's best book

The Wealth of Nations has often been misinterpreted and applied to a conspiracy of selfishness by the worst people. When read with the coda of The Theory of Moral Sentiments, however, the Trevelyans of this world fade away. In their place, this rich, full understanding of the rational and religious individual decency which Smith argues is essential for a society or market to function is revealed. The prose is beautiful, and beautifully read and - completely unexpectedly- there are also a small number of 'laugh out loud' jokes and observations embedded in the oddest of places in the text. This edition is thoroughly to be recommended.