Adam Smith · 1759
A philosophical work on ethics exploring human nature, moral sentiments, and the motives behind human actions.
Russ Roberts values it because it offers deep insight into human nature and the desire to matter.
Human behavior is driven by an underlying desire to be both loved and lovely, seeking the applause of others and the perfection of things.
Listeners exploring the human desire to matter who want to trace Adam Smith's observations on militarism and consumption beyond his economic writings.
Skip if you want an easy read, as the text is difficult to get through.
Summarized from what was said in 5 conversations; the quotes are below.
A speaker recommends a book written by someone else.
“in Theory of Moral Sentiments, Adam Smith talks about the fact that the soldier, when he imagines his death and funeral, thinks about the applause that he will receive.”
Russ Roberts, Host on EconTalkPublic Choice and Politics Without Romance (with Mike Munger) 9/28/26
“Adam Smith is a good example. You can read Adam Smith with profit, either the Wealth of Nations or the Theory of Moral Sentiments.”
Why: You can read Adam Smith with profit.
Russ Roberts, Host on EconTalkThe Death of Reading (with James Marriott) 9/21/26
“And here, I'm going to quote Adam Smith, an opportunity you missed, Alan, in your article. In The Theory of moral sentiments, he makes this fantastic observation, which is actually quite relevant for your insights.”
Russ Roberts, Host on EconTalkSeiko, Swatch, and the Swiss Watch Industry (with Aled Maclean-Jones)
“And Smith in the theory of moral sentiments, when he wrote that meant by loved, he didn't mean just romantic love.”
Why: It offers deep insight into human nature and the desire to matter.
Russ Roberts, Host on EconTalkThe Mattering Instinct (with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein)
“So one of the – and I thank you for doing this. I go back to your episodes with Dan Klein and going through the theory of moral sentiments, which is a difficult book to get through.”
Anthony Gill, Guest on EconTalkShampoo, Property Rights, and Civilization (with Anthony Gill)
Named without an opinion attached.
“So it seemed the, it was one of the ways in which Smith opens up the theory of moral sentiments, his first book, and it seemed the right way to sort of engage readers from a…”
Ross Levine, Guest on EconTalkAdam Smith's Warning About Wealth, Fame, and Status (with Ross Levine)
“What I liked about this book wasn't about achievement of the standard glittering kind, to allude to an Adam Smith quote in the Theory of Moral Sentiments,…”
Russ Roberts, Host on EconTalkHow Your Situation Shapes You (with Angela Duckworth)
“this book, EconTalk listeners will recognize the echo of Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments. My favorite quote being, man naturally desires not only to be loved but to be lovely.”
Will Storr, Guest on EconTalkThe Status Game (with Will Storr)
Other books cited in the same episodes.
The Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith
Discussed together in: The Death of Reading (with James Marriott) 9/21/26 (EconTalk) and 1 more episode
Radetzky March
Joseph Roth
Discussed together in: Public Choice and Politics Without Romance (with Mike Munger) 9/28/26 (EconTalk)
The Better Angels of Our Nature
Steven Pinker
Discussed together in: The Death of Reading (with James Marriott) 9/21/26 (EconTalk)
The Fatal Conceit
Friedrich A. von Hayek
Discussed together in: Public Choice and Politics Without Romance (with Mike Munger) 9/28/26 (EconTalk)
The Mattering Instinct
Rebecca Newberger Goldstein
Discussed together in: The Mattering Instinct (with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein) (EconTalk)
The Mind-body Problem
Rebecca Goldstein
Discussed together in: The Mattering Instinct (with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein) (EconTalk)
The New Dark Ages
James Marriott
Discussed together in: The Death of Reading (with James Marriott) 9/21/26 (EconTalk)
The Innovator's Dilemma
Clayton M. Christensen
Discussed together in: Seiko, Swatch, and the Swiss Watch Industry (with Aled Maclean-Jones) (EconTalk)