Key Concepts

Argument Explanation
Sympathy Smith argues that sympathy, or the ability to share the feelings of others, is the foundation of moral judgment. He suggests that we approve or disapprove of actions based on whether we can sympathize with the sentiments or motives behind them.
Impartial Spectator Smith introduces the idea of an "impartial spectator," which is the hypothetical perspective we adopt to judge the propriety of our own actions and sentiments. This impartial spectator represents our conscience and helps us regulate our behavior.
Moral Sense Smith rejects the idea of an innate moral sense, arguing instead that moral judgments are learned through experience and the process of sympathizing with others. He suggests that moral rules and principles emerge from the collective experience of humanity.
Self-interest and Virtue Smith argues that self-interest and virtue are not necessarily at odds. He suggests that virtuous actions can stem from the desire to be praiseworthy and admired by others, which can be a form of self-interest. However, he also acknowledges the existence of genuine benevolence and concern for others.
Moral Approval and Disapproval Smith explores the reasons why we approve or disapprove of certain actions, such as the gratitude we feel toward benefactors or the resentment we feel toward those who harm us. He suggests that our moral judgments are rooted in these natural sentiments.

Quotes

Chapter Quote
Part I, Section I, Chapter I "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."
Part I, Section I, Chapter V "Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be lovely; or to be that thing which is the natural and proper object of love."
Part III, Chapter I "We desire both to be respectable and to be respected. We dread both to be contemptible and to be contemned."
Part IV, Chapter I "The happiness of mankind, as well as of all other rational creatures, seems to have been the original purpose intended by the Author of Nature."
Part VI, Section II, Chapter II "The virtues of prudence, justice, and beneficence, all tend to promote the individual interest of each particular person."
Part VII, Section II, Chapter IV "Virtue is excellence, something uncommonly great and beautiful, which rises far above what is vulgar and ordinary."

Contents

Part Chapter Summary
Part I: Of the Propriety of Action Chapter I Of Sympathy - Smith introduces the concept of sympathy and explains how it forms the basis of moral judgement.
Chapter II Of the Pleasure of Mutual Sympathy - Discusses the pleasure derived from mutual sympathy and shared emotions.
Chapter III Of the Manner in which We Judge of the Propriety or Impropriety of the Affections of Others - Explores how we judge the emotional appropriateness in others.
Chapter IV The Same Subject Continued - Further discussion on judging the propriety of others' affections.
Chapter V Of the Amiable and Respectable Virtues - Differentiates between virtues that elicit love and respect.
Chapter VI Of the Character of the Individual, so far as it Affects his Own Happiness; or the Manner in which His Employing His Faculty of Sympathy and Judgment Determines His Intellectual and Moral State - Examines how employing our sympathetic judgment affects personal happiness and moral state.
Chapter VII Of the Character Of Virtue - Summarizes the virtuous character and the interplay of sympathy, propriety, and morality.
Part II: Of Merit and Demerit; or, of the Objects of Reward and Punishment Chapter I Of the Sense of Merit and Demerit - Introduces the concepts of merit and demerit, forming the basis for reward and punishment.
Chapter II Of the Proper Objects of Gratitude and Resentment - Discusses who and what are the rightful objects of gratitude and resentment.
Chapter III That Where There Is No Approval of the Conduct of One, or Disapproval of the Conduct of Another, there is No Consideration of the Consequence - Explains the absence of judgment when there’s neither approval nor disapproval of actions.
Chapter IV Recapitulation of The Foregoing Sections - Summarizes the key points discussed in Part II.
Chapter V Of The Influence and Authority of Respectable People; And of The Splendid Advantages of the Nobility - Explores the impacts of social status and the authority of respectable individuals.
Part III: Of the Foundation of our Judgments concerning our own Sentiments and Conduct, and of the Sense of Duty Chapter I Of the Principle of Self-Approvement and Self-Disapprovement - Discusses how we evaluate our own actions and sentiments.
Chapter II Of the Love of Praise, and That of Praise-Worthiness; And of the Dread of Blame, and That of Blame-Worthiness - Differentiates between seeking actual praise and the intrinsic value of being praiseworthy.
Chapter III Of the Influence and Authority of Conscience - Discusses the role and influence of conscience in moral judgment.
Part IV: Of the Effect of Utility upon the Sentiment of Approbation Chapter I Of The Beauty Arising From Utility - Explores the relationship between utility and the perception of beauty and order.
Chapter II Of the Beauty Which the Appearance of Utility Bestows Upon the Characters and Actions of Men - Discusses how utility adds to the perception of virtue in characters and actions.
Chapter III Of the Beauty Which the Appearance of Utility Bestows Upon the Products of Art, and of the Extensive Influence of this Species of Beauty - Explores the impact of perceived utility in art and its broad influence.
Chapter IV Of the Implicit Sense of Merit and Demerit, Which Arises from a Sentiment of Gratitude and of Resentment - Examines how feelings of gratitude and resentment influence our perceptions of merit and demerit.
Part V: Of the Influence of Custom and Fashion upon the Sentiments of Moral Approbation and Disapprobation Chapter I Of The Influence of Custom and Fashion Upon Our Notions of Beauty and Deformity - Discusses how societal norms affect our aesthetic judgments.
Chapter II Of the Influence of Custom and Fashion upon Moral Sentiments - Explores the impact of custom and fashion on moral sentiments.
Chapter III Of the Influence of Custom and Fashion upon Justice and Generosity - Examines how social norms influence our views on justice and generosity.
Part VI: Of the Character of Virtue Section I Of the Character of the Individual, so far as it affects his own Happiness; or the Manner in which his Employing his Faculty of Sympathy and Judgment Determines his Intellectual and Moral State - Explores the interplay between individual character, intellectual, and moral development.
Section II Of the Influence of Prosperity and Adversity upon the Judgment of Mankind with Regard to the Propriety of Action; and Why It Is More Easy to Obtain their Approbation in the One State than in the Other - Discusses how external circumstances like success and hardship influence moral judgments.
Section III Of the Different Provinces of the Senses and Self-Love in the Formation of the Various Intellectual Appetites and Affections - Analyzes how senses and self-love shape intellectual desires and feelings.
Part VII: On Systems of Moral Philosophy Section I Of the Questions Which Have Been Agitated Among Moralists in All Ages - Discusses various philosophical questions debated by moralists throughout history.
Section II Of the Different Accounts which have been given of the Nature of Virtue - Reviews different explanations offered regarding the nature of virtue.
Section III Of the Principal Source of the Modern Systems of Morality - Explores the main foundations of contemporary moral systems.
Section IV Of Systems which Make Virtue Consist in Propriety - Discusses systems that equate virtue with propriety of conduct.
Section V Of Systems which Make Virtue Consist in Benevolence - Examines viewpoints where virtue is based primarily on benevolence.