The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Our love for humanity – which is how “philanthropy” is defined – is rooted in our sense of morality. 

Adam Smith explains that morality is not driven only by reason, but is built into us because we are social beings. To understand philanthropy, therefore, I think we need a grounding in how and why we want to help others.  This book explores that desire, or need, to empathize. 

Smith says that when we see people happy or sad, we feel happy or sad too, that we derive pleasure when people do things we approve of. Even though The Theory of… show more.

Adam Smith is often known as the “father of modern capitalism” given his famous 1776 work, The Wealth of Nations. He is too often misquoted as being in favor of a laissez-faire, casino economy, with an individual’s self-interest in being unfettered, but this is not the case. In his prior book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Smith paints a picture of an economy in balance that leads to economic growth and prosperity across the society. He railed against monarchs who hoarded gold and the East Indian Tea Company which was focused more on its profit than the welfare of society.… show more.

The more you read the classics, the more you come to realise that the challenges we debate and grapple with today are no different to those that have been debated and grappled with across the eras. Times might change, but human nature is a constant. And for me, in his Theory of Moral Sentiments, Adam Smith provides one of the best treatises on human nature. I am sure there have been other attempts made but in my mind nothing I have read comes close to this work. In parts it is clear that the book was written in a… show more.