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My Understanding of Adam Smith's Impartial Spectator: A Symposium Prologue

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  • Daniel B. Klein

Abstract

This article is the Prologue to a symposium undertaken to prompt Adam Smith scholars to explain their understanding of Smith’s impartial spectator, particularly in Smith’s highest sense of that expression. The symposium is not intended to serve as a primer on Smith’s impartial spectator; the spirit is coffee-house conversation among Smith scholars, as they address searching questions about the impartial spectator. What is the impartial spectator, in Smith’s highest sense of that expression? Does the impartial spectator have knowledge that is super-human? Is the impartial spectator universal? How does the impartial spectator relate to “the man within the breast”? To the being whose hand is invisible? To God?

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel B. Klein, 2016. "My Understanding of Adam Smith's Impartial Spectator: A Symposium Prologue," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 13(2), pages 229–231-2, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:ejw:journl:v:13:y:2016:i:2:p:229-231
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    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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