The Moralizing Role of Distance in Adam Smith:The Theory of Moral Sentimentsas Possible Praise of Commerce

Abstract

Even if his analysis is not a blind, one-sided lauding of commerce, Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations (WN) is often presented as a book that praises commercial societies. For Smith, commerce increases material prosperity and allows for freer institutions and more moral customs. By focusing on the role of distance in The Theory of Moral Sentiments (TMS), this article proposes that TMS could also be read as a book praising commercial societies because commerce may bring about the environment that best facilitates moral development.Commerce breaks the boundaries of small and closed communities. Commercial societies allow for, and are based on, interactions among strangers. And the continuous exposure to strangers can facilitate the moralizing process. In TMS, Smith tells us that humankind is naturally biased by its self-love. Smith also tells us that each individual naturally desires the approbation of others. A person receives approbation when another individual reacts similarly or feels the same as he or she does. The closer one person is to another, the easier it is to share the same feelings and the less effort one has to exert to develop command over his passions. The farther away one is from another person, the more difficult

Whose money is it anyway? Ingroups and distributive behavior

“…In The Wealth of Nations, Smith places emphasis on the adverse consequences that stem from the manifestation of an ingroup mentality. To Smith, small and closely connected interest groups tend to be self-referential, and potentially damaging to society (Evensky, 2005;Paganelli, 2009Paganelli, , 2010. He rails against the harmful effects brought about by the ability of merchants (Smith, 1776, IV.vii.b.49;V.i.e.4-5), manufacturers (ibid, IV.viii.17) and wage-setting employers (ibid I.x.c.61) to organize and shape policy.…”

Self-Censorship and Associational Life in the Liberal Academy

“…Colleges and universities are special places in Oakeshott's view, because they create the physical, learning, and social spaces in which we cultivate these habits. 8 5 For a discussion of the role distance plays in Smith's moral system, see Paganelli (2010). 6 For a discussion of the self-regulating, market-like nature of Smith's moral system, see Otteson (2002).…”

Tisztesség, empátia, közgazdaságtan

“…A kisgyermeknek nincs öröklött képessége az önuralomra. Ezért is tulajdonít Adam Smith oly kiemelkedő jelentőséget a koragyermekkori oktatásnak (Paganelli [2010]). Az óvoda, az iskola nem csupán ismereteket nyújt a gyermekeknek, hanem fontos lehetőséget teremt arra, hogy a gyermekek folyamatosan szembesüljenek őket kívülről szemlélő "idegenek" megítélésével.…”