Evoking and describing the moral sentiments: Normative theory in the Smithean mode

Frazer, M. (2015) Evoking and describing the moral sentiments: Normative theory in the Smithean mode. In: Adam Smith: Critic of Capitalism?, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, 10 Apr 2015,

Abstract

While increasing numbers of moral and political philosophers today are embracing David Hume’s and Adam Smith’s thesis that moral reflection is more a matter of sentiment than it is a matter of mere reason, it is still generally agreed that practical philosophy itself ought not to be an impassioned enterprise. This essay, however, argues that practitioners of sentimentalist normative theory ought not limit themselves to the mere description of human sentiments, but may also justifiably attempt to evoke moral sentiments in their readers. As long the moral phenomena under discussion are being depicted accurately, there is nothing essentially manipulative or otherwise objectionable in being (to use Hume’s analogy) a “painter” as well as an “anatomist” of morals.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Frazer, Dr Michael
• Authors: Frazer, M.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics