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Sympathy And Approbation In Hume And Smith: A Solution To The Other Rational Species Problem

Author

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  • LEVY, DAVID M.
  • PEART, SANDRA J.

Abstract

David Hume's sympathetic principle applies to physical equals. In his account, we sympathize with those like us. By contrast, Adam Smith's sympathetic principle induces equality. We consider Hume's “other rational species†problem to see whether Smith's wider sympathetic principle would alter Hume's conclusion that “superior†beings will enslave “inferior†beings. We show that Smith introduces the notion of “generosity,†which functions as if it were Hume's justice even when there is no possibility of contract.

Suggested Citation

  • Levy, David M. & Peart, Sandra J., 2004. "Sympathy And Approbation In Hume And Smith: A Solution To The Other Rational Species Problem," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(2), pages 331-349, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:ecnphi:v:20:y:2004:i:02:p:331-349_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Sandra Peart & David Levy, 2005. "A discipline without sympathy: the happiness of the majority and its demise," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 38(3), pages 937-954, August.
    2. Caroline Gerschlager, 2008. "Foolishness and identity: Amartya Sen and Adam Smith," DULBEA Working Papers 08-03.RS, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    3. Elias L. Khalil, 2010. "Adam Smith’S Concept Of Self‐Command As A Solution To Dynamic Inconsistency And The Commitment Problem," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 48(1), pages 177-191, January.
    4. Schliesser, Eric, 2011. "Reading Adam Smith after Darwin: On the evolution of propensities, institutions, and sentiments," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 77(1), pages 14-22, January.
    5. Sandra Peart & David Levy, 2008. "Discussion, construction and evolution: Mill, Buchanan and Hayek on the constitutional order," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 3-18, March.
    6. Laurie Bréban, 2017. "An Investigation into the Smithian System of Sympathy: from Cognition to Emotion," Working Papers hal-01467340, HAL.
    7. Manfred Holler & Martin Leroch, 2010. "Jury on stage: a common law play," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 89-110, October.
    8. Paganelli, Maria Pia, 2011. "The same face of the two Smiths: Adam Smith and Vernon Smith," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 78(3), pages 246-255, May.
    9. Santori, Paolo & Assistant, JHET, 2021. "Idleness and the Very Sparing Hand of God: The invisible tie between Hume’s "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion" and Smith’s "Wealth of Nations"," OSF Preprints r2uje, Center for Open Science.
    10. William Easterly, 2021. "Progress by consent: Adam Smith as development economist," The Review of Austrian Economics, Springer;Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, vol. 34(2), pages 179-201, June.
    11. Laurie Bréban, 2018. "An Investigation into the Smithian System of Sympathy: from Cognition to Emotion," Post-Print hal-03904227, HAL.
    12. Eric Schliesser, 2010. "Reading Adam Smith after Darwin: On the Evolution of Propensities, Institutions, and Sentiments," Post-Print hal-00921187, HAL.
    13. Khalil, Elias L., 2017. "Socialized view of man vs. rational choice theory: What does smith’s sympathy have to say?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 223-240.

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