The Theory of Moral Sentiments: Or, an Essay Towards an Analysis of the Principles by Which Men Naturally Judge Concerning the Conduct and Character, First of Their Neighbours, and Afterwards of Themselves. to Which Is Added, a Dissertation on the Origin of Languages.Smith, Adam
Philosophy
The Theory of Moral Sentiments: Or, an Essay Towards an Analysis of the Principles by Which Men Naturally Judge Concerning the Conduct and Character, First of Their Neighbours, and Afterwards of Themselves. to Which Is Added, a Dissertation on the Origin of Languages.
Smith, Adam
Ethics -- Early works to 1800; Language and languages -- Early works to 1800
Correct moral sentiments, on the contrary, naturally appear in some
degree laudable and morally good. The man, whose censure and applause
are upon all occasions suited with the greatest accuracy to the value or
unworthiness of the object, seems to deserve a degree even of moral
approbation. We admire the delicate precision of his moral sentiments:
they lead our own judgments, and, upon account of their uncommon and
surprising justness, they even excite our wonder and applause. We cannot
indeed be always sure that the conduct of such a person would be in any
respect correspondent to the precision and accuracy of his judgments
concerning the conduct of others. Virtue requires habit and resolution
of mind, as well as delicacy of sentiment; and unfortunately the former
qualities are sometimes wanting, where the latter is in the greatest
perfection. This disposition of mind, however, though it may sometimes
be attended with imperfections, is incompatible with any thing that is
grossly criminal, and is the happiest foundation upon which the
superstructure of perfect virtue can be built. There are many men who
mean very well, and seriously purpose to do what they think their duty,
who notwithstanding are disagreeable on account of the coarseness of
their moral sentiments.
It may be said, perhaps, that though the principle of approbation is not
founded upon any power of perception that is in any respect analogous to
the external senses, it may still be founded upon a peculiar sentiment
which answers this one particular purpose and no other. Approbation and
disapprobation, it may be pretended, are certain feelings or emotions
which arise in the mind upon the view of different characters and
actions; and as resentment might be called a sense of injuries, or
gratitude a sense of benefits, so these may very properly receive the
name of a sense of right and wrong, or of a moral sense.
But this account of things, though it may not be liable to the same
objections with the foregoing, is exposed to others which are equally
unanswerable.
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