Three Reasons You Should Read The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Written by Shal Marriott as an Institute for Liberal Studies Exclusive

The Theory of Moral Sentiments first and foremost seeks to explain what it means to be human. Approaching it requires vulnerability, that we show up exactly as we are (dusty muddy clothes or work-from-home slippers included) and with a genuine curiosity and openness about what the pages have to offer.

Still, in an era of self-help books and Instagram videos, one wonders why they should read this book. Its prose is dated, and its examples sometimes incomprehensible. No one reads Racine anymore, and probably for good reason. To the skeptic then, I want to offer you three reasons why The Theory of Moral Sentiments is worth your time and attention.

As space for self-reflection

The book starts with the provocative line: “How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.”¹ Immediately, you are encouraged to consider your own experiences. The work generates a mental space for self-reflection.

Is it the case that you, dear reader, take joy in the well-being of others? What does that mean in practice? Are there situations where you do not want others to be happy? This methodological framework, of your own distinct perspective being the starting point for inquiry, serves as a motivating force in the work. Time and again, Smith asks you to consider your own position, and the answers you arrive at are viewed as having philosophical weight. Simply by considering a proposition, you become a philosopher and are invited into the world of ideas.

Smith asks us to consider ideas that are fundamentally grounded in our lived experiences. For example: how do we feel intense emotions like grief and sadness? What do we ask of others in those moments of absolute depression? What does it mean to be a good person? Questions like this operate as the background condition of our day-to-day lives, and Smith pushes them to the forefront for us to consider and mull over. It allows us the opportunity to think about things we all know are present but don’t often draw our attention to, in a way that begins by asking what we each individually think and feel.

A source of comfort

Social media creates the constant possibility for comparing ourselves to others. Our feeds fill us with feelings that we are inadequate in numerous ways, all of the time. The portrait of human nature that Smith presents us with however, is an imperfect one. Reading this book can also be a source of profound comfort.

Although we may genuinely want to ‘think much for others and little for ourselves’ this turns out to be a rather difficult task in practice, and in this struggle we are not alone. We can find ourselves stuck in our own self-interest, the desires we have, and the sense of understanding we crave from those like us. After all, we can’t help but want to ‘be loved and to be lovely’ and this means that lofty goals and ambitions often get set aside.

The prudent and virtuous man which Smith describes in Part VI of the work is not who we see on social media, as such a character is incredibly elusive in practice. The Theory of Moral Sentiments reminds us of the impossibility of a completely virtuous life, and that it is okay to be flawed. This is a fate shared in by others. We can find consolation in the fact that we are all experiencing these failings all of the time. Smith also reminds us that we need others to fully capture our own self-understanding. Far from being isolated in our imperfections, it is precisely these imperfections that can draw us closer together. The desire we have for relationships predicated on mutual understanding is central to work and friendships are often formed precisely because we sympathize with, and appreciate, the ways those we love struggle to be the people they desire to be.

Relevant to the present

The news is a cycle of endlessly bleak headlines. Even if their cultural references are more relevant, the tones of these articles are far less optimistic than Smith was. The political landscape is dominated by ambitious and rich leaders who have lost sight of prudence and benevolence, and what’s worse, people genuinely admire these politicians and cultural icons. We should read The Theory of Moral Sentiments to understand the present political moment we are in.

This was also an issue in the 18^th century, but then it was rich Kings and feudal lords. One solution Smith offers out of this ‘corruption of our moral sentiments’ is to adopt an impartial perspective, which can serve as a counterweight to a world dominated by particularist interests. Even when it is hard, and although we often fail, it is still possible to think much for others and take seriously their points of views. This is just one example of the numerous ways reading the work shows us politics hasn’t changed much in the course of two centuries. Perhaps we can turn to the past to discover possibilities for the future.

Read it for yourself

You might read The Theory of Moral Sentiments because you are a Smith scholar, or have an interest in Scottish Enlightenment philosophy. More than other works though, this is a text that can and should be read by anyone. It gives us an opportunity to retreat into a book, reflect on who we are and what we value, and provides the consolation that imperfection is simply a part of the human condition. The opportunity to talk about these ideas with others, can create and strengthen those bonds that draw us closer together, and foster that love of humanity so absent from political discourse today.

We have a copy of The Theory of Moral Sentiments on our Resources page.

^{1 References to the Theory of Moral Sentiments can also be found here: The Theory of Moral Sentiments and on the Origins of Languages (Stewart ed.) | Online Library of Liberty}