Anniversarial — 2009
1759 — publication of Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments
Although the philosopher and academic Adam Smith is now best known for his economic writings, he first made his reputation for his Theory of Moral Sentiments. Reacting against rationalist theories of ethics current in academic circles at the time, he proposed moral conscience as something innate which works together with "sympathy" (a natural feeling for our fellow human beings) for the good of society.
A sensation when it first came out, the Theory of Moral Sentiments made Smith a best-selling author and a wealthy man. Here are a few letters in EE that show how widely the book was read and appreciated:
- 12 April 1759 — From David Hume, listing the people he had sent copies to;
- 26 April 1759 — From Andrew Millar, Smith's publisher, doing the same;
- 14 June 1759 — From William Robertson, historian;
- 28 July 1759 — From David Hume, mentioning Edmund Burke's praise for the book;
- 10 September 1759 — From Burke himself, apologizing for not writing earlier;
- 10 October 1759 — To Gilbert Elliott, enclosing draft corrections for the 2nd edition just 6 months after the 1st;
- 17 June 1762 — Théodore Tronchin to Louis François Tronchin, showing how quickly Smith's reputation as a moral philosopher had spread as far as Switzerland.