{"product_id":"the-theory-of-moral-sentiments-9780486452913","title":"The Theory of Moral Sentiments","description":"The foundation for a general system of morals, this 1749 work is a landmark in the history of moral and political thought. Readers familiar with Adam Smith from \u003ci\u003eThe Wealth of Nations\u003c\/i\u003e will find this earlier book a revelation. Although the author is often misrepresented as a calculating rationalist who advises the pursuit of self-interest in the marketplace, regardless of the human cost, he was also interested in the human capacity for benevolence -- as \u003ci\u003eThe Theory of Moral Sentiments\u003c\/i\u003e amply demonstrates.\u003cbr\u003eThe greatest prudence, Smith suggests, may lie in following economic self-interest in order to secure the basic necessities. This is only the first step, however, toward the much higher goal of achieving a morally virtuous life. Smith elaborates upon a theory of the imagination inspired by the philosophy of David Hume. His reasoning takes Hume's logic a step further by proposing a more sophisticated notion of sympathy, leading to a series of highly original theories involving conscience, moral judgment, and virtue.\u003cbr\u003eSmith's legacy consists of his reconstruction of the Enlightenment idea of a moral, or social, science that embraces both political economy and the theory of law and government. His articulate expression of his philosophy continues to inspire and challenge modern readers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Dover Publications\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/01\/2006\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780486452913\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 347\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.73lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.26h x 6.38w x 0.75d","brand":"Adam Smith","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36637822746780,"sku":"9780486452913","price":12.71,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_aabf8833-b769-4123-a84f-ea9e0ad3e01a.jpg?v=1603845768","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-theory-of-moral-sentiments-9780486452913","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}