The Spirit of Smithian Laws - Paperback

by Daniel B. Klein (Author)

The Spirit of Smithian Laws discusses Adam Smith's ethics. His impartial-spectator process is a dynamic call upward, enabling one to better sustain his or her locus of affirmation, to better cohere as a just human being. The puzzle is always: Wherein lies better? Which way is up? Smith's approach to the puzzle runs against foundationalism. His ethical thought is here called beholderism. It is organized by organons, chief of which is the notion of a beholder who is God or who is God-like in knowledge and universal benevolence (if not more). The chapters are:

1. Major Themes and Ambling through a Few Spirals
2. Who Is Adam Smith's Impartial Spectator?
3. Beholderism: In Praise of Adam Smith's Organon and Allegory
4. Hume and Smith on Utility, Agreeableness, Propriety, and Moral Approval
5. Adam Smith's Nonfoundationalism
6. Ought Is an Is regarding What is Owed to God/Joy: On the Positive-Normative Distinction
7. The Circumstantiality of Bivariate Relationships in TMS
8. In a Word or Two, Placed in the Middle
9. Smith's Attitude toward Rousseau
10. TMS's Appeal Moves with Openness to Nonfoundationalism: 35 Critics, 1765-1949
11. Circa 1800