The Theory of Moral Sentiments (First Edition)

Adam Smith (1723 - 1790)

"How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortunes of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it." (from The Theory of Moral Sentiments)

Adam Smith considered his first major book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, his most important work. Indeed, the tome was a wild success upon its publication, selling out immediately. It has not lost popularity since. In this legendary work, Smith discusses the nature of morality, and the motives behind and origins of these "sentiments." Originally published in 1759, this work provides the philosophical underpinnings for his later works, as well as elucidating the psychological and moral foundations of the workings of a complex society. Smith parses many important concepts in this book, with the central questions perhaps being: Where do our moral principles come from? Are they divine and inborn, reflection of man-made laws, or rational, based on their usefulness to society? Smith's answers to these questions and more, and his explanation of how such sentiments, however derived, influence society's self-coordination, have interested lay and scholar alike for hundreds of years. (summary written by Nikki Sullivan)

note: This is the First edition, the 6th edition was revised and extra material added.

Genre(s): Philosophy

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 01 - Part I, Section I: Chapters I - III Nikki Sullivan
00:35:05
Play 02 02 - Part I, Section I: Chapters IV - V Ariadna Solovyova
00:23:39
Play 03 03 - Part I, Section II: Intro - Chapter II Alana Jordan
00:24:52
Play 04 04 - Part I, Section II: Chapter III - V Meg Tryton
00:30:32
Play 05 05 - Part I, Section III: Chapter I Meg Tryton
00:18:23
Play 06 06 - Part I, Section III: Chapter II JenniferW
00:28:48
Play 07 07 - Part I, Section III: Chapter III noonday
00:12:37
Play 08 08 - Part II, Section I: Intro - Chapter V Meg Tryton
00:27:05
Play 09 09 - Part II, Section II: Chapter I - II Linda Andrus
00:25:12
Play 10 10 - Part II, Section II: Chapter III Ashwin Jain
00:25:03
Play 11 11 - Part II, Sectio n III: Intro - Chapter I James Christopher
00:13:01
Play 12 12 - Part II, Section III: Chapter II JenniferW
00:21:35
Play 13 13 - Part II, Section III: Chapter III - Notes JenniferW
00:21:57
Play 14 14 - Part III: Chapter I - Chapter IIa Meg Tryton
00:30:51
Play 15 15 - Part III: Chapter IIb Meg Tryton
00:27:22
Play 16 16 - Part III: Chapter IIIa Ariadna Solovyova
00:38:15
Play 17 17 - Part III: Chapter IIIb Ariadna Solovyova
00:27:28
Play 18 18 - Part III: Chapter IV J. M. Smallheer
00:14:14
Play 19 19 - Part III: Chapter V BiddyM
00:28:39
Play 20 20 - Part III: Chapter VI JenniferW
00:24:21
Play 21 21 - Part IV: Chapter I Ariadna Solovyova
00:23:42
Play 22 22 - Part IV: Chapter II Ariadna Solovyova
00:19:48
Play 23 23 - Part V: Chapter I Leon Mire
00:18:00
Play 24 24 - Part V: Chapter II Linda Andrus
00:34:04
Play 25 25 - Part VI: Section I jude kaider
00:20:28
Play 26 26 - Part VI: Section II jude kaider
00:34:18
Play 27 27 - Part VI: Section III Chapter Ia Cicorée
00:28:57
Play 28 28 - Part VI: Section III Chapter Ib Preston McConkie
00:15:50
Play 29 29 - Part VI: Section III Chapter Ic JenniferW
00:24:41
Play 30 30 - Part VI: Section III Chapter Id JenniferW
00:16:34
Play 31 31 - Part VI Section III Chapter II - Chapter III JenniferW
00:28:58