Revisiting the "father of capitalism"
The Gray Area with Sean Illing
The Importance of Sympathy in Adam Smith's Moral Philosophy
Sympathy serves as the cornerstone of Adam Smith's moral philosophy, functioning as a vital mechanism for understanding others' motivations and feelings. This empathetic process requires us to imaginatively engage with others' situations, thus fostering moral judgments based on sentiments rather than mere reason. Moreover, Smith posits that human behavior is driven by a complex interplay of motivations, including both sympathy and self-interest. This duality illustrates that individuals possess a natural curiosity about others' motivations and a desire for social approval, which influences their actions. Consequently, individuals refrain from harmful behaviors, such as stealing, out of concern for social disapproval, emphasizing the integral role of sympathy in creating a healthy capitalist economy where moral considerations guide behavior alongside self-interest.
