Adam Smith's "The Theory of Moral Sentiments": A Critical Commentary

Many contemporary readers are just now discovering Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments (TMS). It is increasingly being recognised as a foundational text in moral philosophy and in Adam Smith's oeuvre more generally. This is the first companion to guide readers through TMS and uncover what Smith thinks, why he thinks it, why he might be wrong to think it!

While Adam Smith is best known for a Wealth of Nations there is a history of seriously misinterpreting this text as an unnuanced celebration of unfettered capitalism. The Theory of Moral Sentiments is a kind of corrective to these naïve readings. As such, any serious consideration of Adam Smith's work should also include TMS.

John McHugh's guide provides detailed analysis of TMS while never losing sight of the text in the context of Smith's writings and world view more generally. It offers both an introduction to the importance and insight of TMS while also functioning as a great way in to Adam Smith as a philosopher.

ISBN-13: 9781350268098

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Publication Date: 10-19-2023

Pages: 384

Product Dimensions: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.80d

John McHugh is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Denison University, USA. He is the editor of Francis Hutcheson: Selected Writings (2014), and a specialist in the work of Adam Smith.

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1. Introduction:

Chapter 2. Contextualizing Smith's First Question: Theories of Judgment (TMS VII.iii)

Chapter 3. Smith's Answer to the First Question

Chapter 4. Contextualizing Smith's Second Question: Theories of Virtue (TMS VII.ii)

Chapter 5. Smith's Answer to the Second Question

Chapter 6. Smith's Metaethics

Chapter 7. Conclusion

bibliography
index

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