The Theory of Moral Sentiments · Chapter
Part VII: Of Systems of Moral Philosophy explained
Smith surveys and critiques various systems of moral philosophy, including those based on propriety, prudence, and benevolence, and discusses the corruption of moral sentiments by wealth and rank.
What happens
Smith surveys and critiques various systems of moral philosophy, including those based on propriety, prudence, and benevolence, and discusses the corruption of moral sentiments by wealth and rank.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This passage marks the dramatic climax because it crystallizes the core psychological crisis: the tension betw…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Corruption of Moral Sentiments by Wealth and Rank
Smith critiques Mandeville's system for reducing all virtue to vanity, highlighting how the desire for praise corrupts genuine moral sentiments.
- Self-Love and the Social Order
The chapter examines systems that derive morality from self-love, such as Epicurus's, and contrasts them with sympathy-based accounts.
Characters to notice
- Epicurus
Epicurus's system is examined as one that derives virtue from prudence and pleasure.
- Dr. Hutcheson
Hutcheson's system of moral sense and benevolence is discussed and critiqued.
- Dr. Mandeville
Mandeville's licentious system that reduces virtue to vanity is analyzed.
- Plato
Plato's system of virtue as the proper government of the soul is referenced.
- Aristotle
Aristotle's system of virtue as a mean between extremes is mentioned.
Key passages
“The character of virtue, it was observed, must be beautiful; and the character of vice, deformed.”
Virtue is inherently attractive, while vice is repulsive.
Smith summarizes the aesthetic approach to morality found in some systems.
“According to Dr. Hutcheson, the moral sense is a distinct and independent principle of the human mind.”
Hutcheson argues that we have an innate sense that directly approves of benevolence and disapproves of selfishness.
Smith presents Hutcheson's theory of a dedicated moral sense.
“The system of Dr. Mandeville, though it had the good fortune to be attacked by many, has never been so fully confuted as it deserved.”
Mandeville's theory, while widely criticized, has not been adequately refuted.
Smith acknowledges the challenge of fully disproving Mandeville's cynical view of virtue.
