Adam Smith's View of Man

摘要: ADAM Smith was a great economist, perhaps the greatest that there has ever been. Today I am going to discuss his views on nature of man. My reason for doing this is not because think Adam possessed an understanding man's superior contemporaries. would judge attitudes were quite widely shared in eighteenth century, at any rate, Scotland, but no doubt elsewhere century Europe. father psychology. But believe human are important us know them deepen our economics. It sometimes said assumes beings motivated solely by self-interest. Selfinterest certainly, Smith's view, powerful motive behaviour, it means only motive. recognise since inclusion other motives analysis does weaken rather strengthens argument use market and limitation government action economic affairs. set down one place They have be inferred from remarks The Theory Moral Sentiments Wealth Nations. deals more extensively with psychology Sentiments, ostensible purpose which uncover bases what may termed feelings acts benevolence. "How selfish soever man supposed, evidently some principles nature, interest him fortune others, render their happiness necessary though he derives nothing it, except pleasure seeing it. . ruffian, most hardened violator laws society, altogether without it."' makes sympathy basis concern others. We form idea how others feel considering we like circumstances. realisation something fellows miserable miserable, when happy, happy. This comes about because, act imagination put ourselves place, and, effect, own minds become those persons. Our same intensity as theirs, they kind.