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Sympathy, Difference, And Education: Social Unity In The Work Of Adam Smith

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  • WEINSTEIN, JACK RUSSELL

Abstract

In this article, I examine Adam Smith's theory of the ways individuals in society bridge social and biological difference. In doing so, I emphasize the divisive effects of gender, race, and class to see if Smith's account of social unity can overcome such fractious forces. My discussion uses the metaphor of “proximity” to mean both physical and psychological distance between moral actors and spectators. I suggest that education – both formal and informal in means – can assist moral judgment by helping agents minimize the effects of proximity, and, ultimately, learn commonality where difference may otherwise seem overwhelming. This article uses the methods of the history of philosophy in order to examine an issue within contemporary discourse. While I seek to offer an authentic reading of Smith representative of his eighteenth-century perspective, I do so with an eye towards determining the extent to which Smith anticipated central issues in modern multiculturalism.

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  • Weinstein, Jack Russell, 2006. "Sympathy, Difference, And Education: Social Unity In The Work Of Adam Smith," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(1), pages 79-111, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:ecnphi:v:22:y:2006:i:01:p:79-111_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Khetpal, Vishal & Mossialos, Elias, 2018. "An ethical appraisal of living-anonymous kidney donation using Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(11), pages 1212-1221.
    2. Muhammed Refeque & P. Azad, 2022. "How do linguistic and technical skills affect earnings in India?," Indian Economic Review, Springer, vol. 57(1), pages 23-57, June.

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