# Dr. Mandeville — The Theory of Moral Sentiments character guide

> Dr. Mandeville in The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mandeville

**First appearance:** 0067-iv-of-licentious-systems

## Who they are

Author of licentious system that reduces virtue to self-love.

## In the story

### [The Theory of Moral Sentiments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/the-theory-of-moral-sentiments)

Alluded to in discussions of the corruption of moral sentiments by wealth and rank, opposing Mandeville's cynical view of virtue.

### [Part I: Of the Propriety of Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/part-i-of-the-propriety-of-action)

Referenced in the discussion of how private vices may lead to public benefits, contrasting with Smith's moral framework.

### [Section II: Of Justice and Beneficence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/section-ii-of-justice-and-beneficence)

Cited for his views on the role of self-interest in moral behavior.

### [Of the Nature of Self-Deceit, and of the Origin and Use of General Rules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/iv-of-the-nature-of-self-deceit-and-of-the-origin-and-use-of-general-rules)

Referenced implicitly through the discussion of self-deceit and the corruption of moral sentiments, though not named directly in excerpts.

### [Of the Beauty Which the Appearance of Utility Bestows Upon All the Productions of Art, and of the Extensive Influence of This Species of Beauty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/i-of-the-beauty-which-the-appearance-of-utility-bestows-upon-all-the-productions-of-art-and-of-the-extensive-influence-of-this-species-of-beauty)

Referenced as the 'ingenious and agreeable philosopher' who argued that utility pleases by suggesting the pleasure it promotes, though Smith extends this idea further.

### [Part VII: Of Systems of Moral Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/part-vii-of-systems-of-moral-philosophy)

Mandeville's licentious system that reduces virtue to vanity is analyzed.

### [IV: Of Licentious Systems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/iv-of-licentious-systems)

Smith critiques Mandeville's licentious system, which reduces all virtue to vanity and denies the real distinction between vice and virtue.

### [Of Those Systems Which Deduce the Principle of Approbation from Self-Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/i-of-those-systems-which-deduce-the-principle-of-approbation-from-self-love)

Mentioned as a follower of Hobbes who also deduces moral approbation from self-love and the utility of social order.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/mandeville
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters