Adam Smith
The Theory of Moral Sentiments
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not a sparknotes, nor a cliffnotes
This is a retelling. The story is still told—completely. You walk with the characters, feel what they feel, discover what they discover. The meaning arrives because you experienced it, not because someone explained a summary.
Read this, then read the original. The prose will illuminate—you'll notice what makes the author that author, because you're no longer fighting to follow the story.
Read the original first, then read this. Something will click. You'll want to go back.
Either way, the door opens inward.
Essential Life Skills You'll Learn
Critical Thinking Through Literature
Develop analytical skills by examining the complex themes and character motivations in The Theory of Moral Sentiments, learning to question assumptions and see multiple perspectives.
Historical Context Understanding
Learn to place events and ideas within their historical context, understanding how The Theory of Moral Sentiments reflects and responds to the issues of its time.
Empathy and Perspective-Taking
Build empathy by experiencing life through the eyes of characters from different times, backgrounds, and circumstances in The Theory of Moral Sentiments.
Recognizing Timeless Human Nature
Understand that human nature remains constant across centuries, as The Theory of Moral Sentiments reveals patterns of behavior and motivation that persist today.
Articulating Complex Ideas
Improve your ability to express nuanced thoughts and feelings by engaging with the sophisticated language and themes in The Theory of Moral Sentiments.
Moral Reasoning and Ethics
Develop your ethical reasoning by grappling with the moral dilemmas and philosophical questions raised throughout The Theory of Moral Sentiments.
These skills are woven throughout the analysis, helping you see how classic literature provides practical guidance for navigating today's complex world.
The Theory of Moral Sentiments explores how humans develop moral judgments through sympathy — our ability to imagine what others feel. Written 17 years before The Wealth of Nations, this is Adam Smith's forgotten masterpiece that reveals he was not the 'greed is good' economist of popular imagination.
Related Resources
Table of Contents
How We Feel Each Other's Pain
Why We Need Others to Feel With Us
How We Judge Others' Feelings
The Art of Emotional Harmony
Two Types of Virtue
When Your Body Betrays Your Image
Why We Can't Connect with Love
When Anger Serves Justice
The Social Passions That Draw Us Together
The Social Cost of Success
Why We Feel Others' Pain More Than Their Joy
Why We Chase Status and Fear Obscurity
The Stoic Way of Life
The Emotional Logic of Justice
When Justice Feels Right to Everyone
About Adam Smith
Published 1759
Adam Smith (1723-1790) was a Scottish philosopher and economist. He considered The Theory of Moral Sentiments his more important work, revising it throughout his life.
Why This Author Matters Today
Adam Smith's insights into human nature, social constraints, and the search for authenticity remain powerfully relevant. Their work helps us understand the timeless tensions between individual desire and social expectation, making them an essential guide for navigating modern life's complexities.
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