The Theory of Moral Sentiments

By: Adam Smith

Narrated by: Michael Lunts

‘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

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!!!

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.

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.

A Wonderful Description of Human Nature

Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments is a magnificent description of human nature and an eloquent explanation of virtue and vice, and what is natural and unnatural. It is one of the best books ever written; how unfortunate it is not more widely read and studied.

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.

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

Stands the test of time as an excellent inquiry into the human conscience

It’s a shame so few will ever read this book. It’s a great antidote to pseudo-intellectual psycho babel regarding morality. It’s expansive, methodical, and unique, though a little unapproachable. Read at once!

Required reading upon maturity

Having reached a point in my life that I wished to read "The Wealth of Nations", I purchased the book. Knowing full-well the book was published nearly 250 years ago, I opted to also purchase the authors prior book to familiarize myself with their writing style and concept organization. I was quite taken by surprise at the wealth of wisdom Adam Smith committed to page. This book gave me far more than I could have ever expected. How this is not required reading in college is beyond me. The application of understanding for human behavior affects such a vast amount of disciplines, and here is much of it laid out in easy-to-understand format. The fact that this was written nearly a quarter millennia ago is compelling.

Keeping in mind, due to the age of the reference, some small portion of the information is dated in it's understanding. With some religious underpinnings that need be adjusted for in the understanding of today's world. However, this book is a gold mine in and of itself; and should be required reading for anyone on the precipice of, or well into their journey of emotional maturity and sociological understanding.

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.

Worthy read which needs a better reader

Smith's ideas are deep and worthy. His prose are dense and his grammar makes a somewhat challenging audiobook...and it's still worth your time.
The good part of the book is the first 75%. Part seven (the last part) is a comparison of philosophers and can be skipped.
Lunts's reading feels appropriate at first; at some point, his posh accent became stuffy and unnecessary. Eventually his voice turned grating.
Smith really nails the insights into humanity, I plan to read this again!