The puzzle of caring more about our own well-being than others

Adam Smith poses the puzzle of why we care more about our own well-being, such as losing a finger, than the well-being of others, even if it involves the loss of many lives. Smith acknowledges that we are naturally inclined to prioritize our self-interests and be less concerned about the suffering of distant others. However, he argues that acting on this inclination and causing harm to others in order to benefit ourselves goes against our conscience and our sense of propriety. Smith suggests that our capacity for moral agency, guided by reason, principle, and an impartial spectator, leads us to value not just being loved, but being lovely. That is, earning the respect, admiration, and praise of others by acting in ways that are deemed noble and moral.