Exploring Forms of Justice in Adam Smith's 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments'

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The chapter delves into a discussion about the various forms of justice outlined in 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments', focusing on commutative and distributive justice. It explores the concept of ownership and distributive justice, contrasting individual ownership with community ownership as seen through the lens of 'our own'. Additionally, the conversation touches on beneficence, societal norms, state enforcement of behaviors, and the delicate balance between coercive redistributive justice and liberty within a commonwealth.

Dan Klein, of George Mason University, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about Adam Smith's lesser-known masterpiece, The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Klein highlights key passages and concepts of the book including its relation to The Wealth of Nations, Smith's willingness to accept "vague, loose, and indeterminate" rules rather than precise ones, Smith's criteria for assessing what is moral and what is not, and Smith's conception of justice. This podcast is part of the EconTalk Book Club on The Theory of Moral Sentiments. It will be followed by four bonus podcasts in the coming weeks going through the book systematically. Interested listeners who wish to do the reading in advance can find the schedule along with more background on the book on the EconTalk book club page, accessible from the EconTalk home page.