The Theory of Moral Sentiments

The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) by Adam Smith explores the foundations of human morality and social behavior. Smith argues that moral judgments arise from sympathy-our natural ability to imagine and share the feelings of others. Through this process, people develop an "impartial spectator," an internalized perspective that helps them judge their own actions as others might. Smith emphasizes virtues such as prudence, justice, and benevolence, and shows how social harmony depends on mutual sympathy and self-restraint rather than pure self-interest. The book presents a moral framework that complements, rather than contradicts, Smith's later economic ideas in The Wealth of Nations.