The Theory of Moral Sentiments
The Theory of Moral Sentiments, published in 1759, was Adam Smith's first book and made his name as a philosopher before The Wealth of Nations. Smith asks how self-interested human beings come to make moral judgments at all, and answers with sympathy: our ability to imagine ourselves in another's situation and to feel with them. From this he derives our sense of what is proper and what deserves praise or blame, the role of the impartial spectator we carry within us as a conscience, the influence of custom and fashion on morals, and the nature of virtue. The book is written with warmth and a novelist's eye for examples, and later readers have found in it the foundations of his economics. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Theory of Moral Sentiments
The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Theory of Moral Sentiments online?
Yes. The Theory of Moral Sentiments opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Theory of Moral Sentiments free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Theory of Moral Sentiments is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Theory of Moral Sentiments in the public domain?
Yes. The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Theory of Moral Sentiments?
About 10 h 53 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Theory of Moral Sentiments?
The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
