Writing in 1759, Adam Smith made the observation that we feel worse, much worse, about the prospect of losing our little finger than we do about the death of a multitude of strangers far away. The author, Russ Roberts, introduces this human nature that still holds true as below.
But for some reason, we do not act in what appears to be our self-interest. Two Opposing Human Nature and The Role of The Impartial SpectatorĪdam Smith observed that we are profoundly self-interested. When I first saw this petit book in a cute yellow cover, I knew right away that Adam Smith has something to say in a positive sense! What is his contemplation on moral sentiments interpreted in modern language by an economist Russ Roberts then? What a surprise! He was such a wise old philosopher with a warm heart to humanity. Who would ever have imagined that Adam Smith, the father of capitalism, wrote a book about morality with his deep understanding of human nature? Didn’t he discuss the workings of human’s self-interest on the market? Our logic may naturally lead us to assume that the author of ‘The Wealth of a Nation’ advocates money and materialism.
#Weesie smith creeping phlo how to
How To Be LovedĪ MODERN INTERPRETATION OF ‘THE THEORY OF MORAL SENTIMENTS’ BY ADAM SMITH ‘Two different models, two different pictures, are held out to us, according to which we may fashion our own character and behaviour the one more gaudy and glittering in its colouring the other more correct and more exquisitely beautiful in its outline: the one forcing itself upon the notice of every wandering eye the other, attracting the attention of scarce any body but the most studious and careful observer.'” – from Chapter 5. The second path is to be wise and virtuous. The first path is to be rich, famous, powerful. There are two ways to be loved, to satisfy the desire we all have in us to be noticed and to be somebody. Instead of pursuing attention via wealth or fame or power, pursue wisdom and goodness. Smith is showing us a better path to contentment than the world holds out to seduce us with. Maybe it’s easier to be happy with what you have if you know that inside you is the urge for attention that Smith identifies. “There will always be someone richer than you, more skilled than you, more famous than you.
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