A Study On Adam Smith's Conception Of Humanity In The Theory Of Moral Sentiments

Adam Smith was not only a great economist but also a prominent ideologist in the Eighteenth century. During the reforming time in western society,Smith found that some dramatic and deep changes had been apparent in the social life style. And he also realized that old moral conception which conflicted with the new economic life style must surmount traditional moral system in the Middle Ages, and that creating a new moral ethics theory was not only a psychological factor which maintained the market economy and promoted the national prosperity but also leaded the value conception and the morality in the modem society.I introduced the derivation of Smith's human nature thoughts which stemmed from the 18th century in the England. It happened in this time with fundamental social background and theoretical sources. Smith thought that the motivation of undertaking economy conduct was the pursuit of self-interesting from egoism and it would promote social prosperity.In addition Smith regarded altruism as necessary and original feeling and human being's instinct. But he didn't emphasize the role altruism played in the society any more. How to coordinate these two instincts? Smith put out the central concept—sympathy. And then he assessed the sympathetic thoughts in terms of rationalities and limitations. Smith's human thoughts possessed important practical sense and would make great contribution to the construction of social morality.I made a research on the relationship among egoism, altruism and sympathy, analyzed the conflict between egoism and altruism in practice, and explained the reasons causing this conflict. Then Smith introduced the mechanism of sympathy that made it harmonized egoism and altruism. Indeed when it comes to Smith, it's inevitable to include"Das Adam Smith-Problem". From the developmental aspect, it was about the conflict between history school and marginal utility school—revolve round the dispute on the relationship between moral ethics and economy. And"Das Adam Smith-Problem"essence was a conflict between individual and social profit existing in the market economy in this age.