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Adam Smith's Impartial Spectator

Author

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  • Paul D. Mueller

Abstract

Adam Smith claims that humans naturally sympathize with others and seek their approval. The process of matching our sentiments with others’ sentiments forms the basis of our moral judgment. But what do we do when sentiments conflict? Smith saw that we need to move beyond literal impartial spectators to reach some ideal by which we can judge others’ sentiments and our own. That ideal is a category that we develop inductively. The category then allows us to construct imaginary representations of a perfect impartial spectator to arbitrate conflicts between the views of literal impartial spectators and our own.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul D. Mueller, 2016. "Adam Smith's Impartial Spectator," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 13(2), pages 312–318-3, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:ejw:journl:v:13:y:2016:i:2:p:312-318
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    Cited by:

    1. Mueller, Paul D., 2021. "Adam Smith on moral judgment: Why people tend to make better judgments within liberal institutions," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 813-825.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Adam Smith; Theory of Moral Sentiments; impartial spectator; philosophy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B12 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Classical (includes Adam Smith)
    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values

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