Emotion Order Virtue: Adam Smith's Ethical World

Author: Luo Weidong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This book provides a comprehensive examination of the moral philosophy theory of Adam Smith, often regarded as the "father of economics." The author meticulously interprets the text of Smith's major ethical work, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, and delves into the fundamental content of Smith's ethics from multiple perspectives, including theories of sympathy, justice, conscience, utility and habit, and virtue theory. The book's most distinctive feature is its exploration of the changes in the thematic trajectory of Smith's ethical thought between the first and sixth editions of The Theory of Moral Sentiments, along with the primary reasons behind these modifications. It also extensively discusses the connections between Smith's ethical thought and the ideas of his predecessors as well as contemporary trends. The book is notable for its strong sense of inquiry, rich use of sources, and the formation of novel and insightful perspectives on several significant academic issues. It represents an important contribution by Chinese scholars to the international "Smithian revival movement."