Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Introduction
- Chronology
- Further reading
- Note on the text
- Abbreviations
- The Theory of Moral Sentiments
- Advertisement
- Contents
- Part I Of the propriety of action
- Part II Of merit and demerit; or, of the objects of reward and punishment
- Part III Of the foundation of our judgments concerning our own sentiments and conduct, and of the sense of duty
- Part IV Of the effect of utility upon the sentiment of approbation
- Part V Of the influence of custom and fashion upon the sentiments of moral approbation and disapprobation
- Part VI Of the character of virtue
- Part VII Of systems of moral philosophy
- Index
- Cambridge texts in the history of philosophy
Part VI - Of the character of virtue
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Introduction
- Chronology
- Further reading
- Note on the text
- Abbreviations
- The Theory of Moral Sentiments
- Advertisement
- Contents
- Part I Of the propriety of action
- Part II Of merit and demerit; or, of the objects of reward and punishment
- Part III Of the foundation of our judgments concerning our own sentiments and conduct, and of the sense of duty
- Part IV Of the effect of utility upon the sentiment of approbation
- Part V Of the influence of custom and fashion upon the sentiments of moral approbation and disapprobation
- Part VI Of the character of virtue
- Part VII Of systems of moral philosophy
- Index
- Cambridge texts in the history of philosophy
Summary
Introduction
When we consider the character of any individual, we naturally view it under two different aspects; first, as it may affect his own happiness; and secondly, as it may affect that of other people.
Of the character of the individual, so far as it affects his own happiness; or of prudence
1 The preservation and healthful state of the body seem to be the objects which Nature first recommends to the care of every individual. The appetites of hunger and thirst, the agreeable or disagreeable sensations of pleasure and pain, of heat and cold, etc. may be considered as lessons delivered by the voice of Nature herself, directing him what he ought to chuse, and what he ought to avoid, for this purpose. The first lessons which he is taught by those to whom his childhood is entrusted, tend, the greater part of them, to the same purpose. Their principal object is to teach him how to keep out of harm's way.
2 As he grows up, he soon learns that some care and foresight are necessary for providing the means of gratifying those natural appetites, of procuring pleasure and avoiding pain, of procuring the agreeable and avoiding the disagreeable temperature of heat and cold. In the proper direction of this care and foresight consists the art of preserving and increasing what is called his external fortune.
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- Adam Smith: The Theory of Moral Sentiments , pp. 248 - 312Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2002