The Unit Of Economy And Ethic

Economy and ethic are interdependent and closely interrelated, which is importantly significant to the sound development of economy and the progress of society. However, people are always confusing by the moral problems which appear in social economic practice. How to promote economic development and moral progress then? In most economic ethics theories and studies, Adam Smith, British famous thinker, morality philosopher and economist in eighteenth century, has his own particular and profound view on the relationship of economy and ethic. Confronting the British social reality of industrial capitalism before 18th century, Adam Smith explored the fundamental questions such as social economy, social ethics and law system, and primarily created economic theory and moral doctrine in the market society by using the principles such as"sympathy","Economic Man Hypothesis","Invisible Hand"and so on to work out a regular and harmonious human society. Therefore, it is valuable to learn Adam Smith's theories and excavate their essence for the theory exploration and practice of modern market economy and moral ethic."Adam Smith Problem"refers to the existing contradictions between Smith's two famous books:"The Theory of Moral Sentiments"(on ethics) and"The Wealth of Nations"(on economy). Although a fair and accepted conclusion of the controversies on Adam Smith Problem has been given according to historical events and logic, with the development of society, it still shows the dynamic relations between economy and ethics; economics and ethics, emerging its value and directing the reality practice under the circumstance of socialist market economy.On the basis, the thesis chooses the unit of economy and ethic as the theme and focuses on"Adam Smith Problem"to discuss Smith's thinking and mastering of the consistency of economy and ethic in the period of the sprouting capitalist production relations by applying the method of reference and descriptive analysis.The thesis is consisted of three parts:Part one mainly defines"Adam Smith Problem". Because it is the focus of the whole thesis and affects Smith's interpretation on the relation of economy and ethic, this part explores the origin of"Adam Smith Problem"in general and explains its definition, then analyzes the reason why it is proposed, finally does some simply comments about the problem.Part two stresses on discussing Smith's notion on the relation between economy and ethic."Adam Smith Problem"raises all kinds of hearsay and controversies. However, the best way to interpret it is Smith's instruction. In the thesis's opinion, the essence of"Adam Smith Problem"lies on the unit of economy and ethic. Why the economy and ethic is unit in Smith's notion, and how to reflect? The thesis tries to explore it from times; it examines the situation of English society in 18 century, that is, the relation between capitalist economy and ethic was interdependent, supporting each other and developing together, which determined Smith to view the two as unit and entrusted Smith historical mission to construct a theory that adapted to the development of new capitalism. Since it was the fact, how can we understand Smith wrote"The Theory of Moral Sentiments"and"The Wealth of Nations"respectively? After examining the academic situation and the knowledge that Smith had in the period, the thesis thinks that Smith's ethics and economics actually are parts of his system of moral philosophy, thus the thesis continues to sort out the logical presentation and the main ideas about these two works, then proves Smith made the logical accomplishment and intrinsic relation in the two works became true by using the principles"sympathy"and"Invisible Hand"under the unit framework of moral philosophy. How the thought of"unit of economy and ethic"is embodied in the two works? The thesis solves the problem by mainly analyzing the characteristics of"Economic Man"and exploring moral entailment about the behavior that"Economic Man"quested for profit. From the analysis of above, we can see that there are deep intrinsic relations between economy and ethic in Smith's notion and his works.Part three studies the theoretical significance and actual value of Smith's thought on"unit of economy and ethic". The theory of Smith is provided with not only important effect to the development of economy and ethic, but also profitable value to the economic practice and moral construction.The main objective of the thesis is to practically combine with historical background to analyze Smith's books, the paper widely consults others'study results from abroad to home, trying to study the theoretical construction of Smith's relationship of economy and ethic; which are useful for correct understanding and reasonable solution of many social and economic problems, in addition, it offers us available references of classic theories for the development of our socialist market economy and the construction of modern ethical morality.