Adam Smith's Moral Sentiments Essay example

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10/19/2013
Business Ethics & Society

Adam Smith’s Moral Sentiments Part 2 The reading on Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith first starts of the definition of a prudent man. Prudent man is based on a self- interest, which means taking care of oneself. Prudent man are trying to keep out of harm, care for their own, they are sincere but not so vocal about things, reserved in regards to others, they limit friendship by not passionate but transitory affection, they are conservative financially, modest, they feel horro when being disgrace to others, they tell nothing but the truth, very cautious in actions, never makes rash opinions concerning others, conversations are always inoffensive and they place themselves below of others. Prudent man are naturally contented with his situations, gradually relax, no anxiety to change comfortable situations. Since they are based around self-interest, prudent man are not willing to take any responsibility which his duty doesn’t impose upon him according to Smith. We judge that their sentiment is justified when sentiments with another person when the person is alone. Sympathy does not give judgments. Judgments only being considered when there is a difference in attention and when there is awareness between individuals, but if people agree on a judgment then it is not being distinguished. Another way when other’s judgment is different from us is when we can take it as admiration. Smith explained how we take values to judgments when it is similar to our own judgments and therefore we aspect those judgments. Prudent man sympathy will never go to the point of violence of whoever is in those shoes, also of our own safety and comfort. We go into sympathetic state in ourselves when we are constantly intruded. If you are suffering or if anyone is, the feelings can be soften by sentiment from another person, which this is acceptable fort the peace and harmony of the society. As Smith say, society and conversations is the best remedy for recovering the mind. Smith stated that there is to distinction, of one, the person who is notably concerned. Which is a person’s emotion can be awaken by an object. And there is the spectator who is emotionally awakened by watching over and sympathizing. These two types of different people have two sets of different virtues. The person who is notably concerned is self-denial and self-government. The person who is a spectator shows blunt contempt and considerate humanity of coming into the sympathy of the person principally concerned. Smith concludes that perfection of human nature is having this mutual sympathy by feeling more for others than for one self. The degree of passion can sympathize is up to a medium level, which depends on what the passion or emptions is being covey. According to Smith, passions will be considered appropriate or inappropriate to changeable degrees subject to the degree which the spectator is able to sympathize, which what the purpose is to establish which passions evoke sympathy and which don’t and therefore knowing if it’s appropriate or inappropriate. I agree to what Smith is conveying in his readings. Being a prudent man is not enough, not enough to be noticeable or at least stand out in a crowd in any point. As Smith mentioned, prudence people deserve cold esteem, respect but not admiration and it is not enough. Prudence is boring, not out of norm or as I say it is “too” normal. Surrounding people will never going to be satisfied. Prudence don’t give enough responsible towards others, they are too self-interest and just lack of care for others. In this society where it is so much easier to converse and connect to people, it is almost kind of impossible to have lack of care or too much self-interest. Don’t you want to see how it can help, effect or even
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