Customer Reviews

Adam Smith and the Virtues of Enlightenment (Modern European Philosophy)

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Griswold's book is pitched squarely between the academic of, and the interested newcomer to, the Enlightenment. It gives a refreshingly new outlook over enlightenment ideas as a whole, to illustrate the back drop to Adam Smith's moral notions. In examining the key themes in 'The Theory Of Moral Sentiments' with reference to Smith's whole body of work, Griswold is rare in attributing, to the work, the importance and weight it deserves. Books that focus on Adam Smith's moral philosphy are rare and this book is by no means a weak example of them. If you are at all interested in Adam Smith, and particularly those interested in 'The Wealth of Nations' you need to look at his moral roots, and Griswold's book is an excellent secondary text to look at.

Jerry Muller (The Mind and the Market) said this is the best commentary on Adam Smith's 'Moral Sentiments' and he is right! Griswold provides a thoughtful and understandable analysis of Smith's 'theory' of moral sentiments.

His explanation of the 'actor' and the 'spectator', the 'impartial spectator', the conscience,and just what 'morality' means to Smith are so clear. Griswold raises possible objections to Smith's system and answers them satisfactorily, showing a keen 'sympathy' with the topic he is so ably handling.

This book is a must, not only for Smith scholars, but for anyone interested in what morality is all about and how it all developed (and is still developing).

Buy this great work and have a mental and moral feast!

Put on your scuba gear - we're diving down deep. Even though Charles L. Griswold, Jr. writes in a dense, academic style, it is worth swimming through his prose to learn about the remarkable work of 18th-century Enlightenment philosopher Adam Smith. Regarded as one of the fathers of modern economic thought, Smith has been misunderstood for the last century because his ethical philosophy has been overlooked. Instead, economists have drawn attention only to his thumbs-up for free enterprise and free trade. Smith believed neither was worthwhile without ethics, a point some modern economists might profitably revisit. We [...] highly recommend this richly detailed, insightful book to anyone interested in economic, political, or social philosophy.