impartial spectator

impartial spectator
Central concept in the ethical system of Adam Smith . The impartial spectator is an imagined ‘man within the breast’ whose approbation or disapproval makes up our awareness of the nature of our own conduct. Smith is concerned to give an explanation of the voice of conscience, without departing totally from the sentimentalist and naturalistic tradition of Scottish moral philosophy. Conscience is not a mysterious or inexplicable force, since ‘the jurisdiction of the man within is founded altogether on the desire of praiseworthiness and in the aversion to blameworthiness’ which underlies our ‘dread of possessing those qualities, and performing those actions, which we hate and despise in other people’ (Theory of the Moral Sentiments, iii. 2. 33).

Philosophy dictionary. . 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • spectator — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ mere, passive, silent ▪ interested ▪ impartial ▪ paying ▪ virtual …   Collocations dictionary

  • impartial — adj. VERBS ▪ be ▪ remain ▪ The judge must remain impartial. ADVERB ▪ completely, entirely, totally …   Collocations dictionary

  • County Down Spectator — The County Down Spectator and Ulster Standard is a weekly newspaper based in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. It generally serves the area covered by the North Down parliamentary constituency. it is published by Spectator Newspapers and has …   Wikipedia

  • Newtownards Spectator — The Newtownards Spectator is a newspaper serving Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland and the nearby Ards Peninsula. It is published by the Bangor based Spectator Newspapers and has a sister title, the County Down Spectator …   Wikipedia

  • The Theory of Moral Sentiments — was written by Adam Smith in 1759. It provided the ethical, philosophical, psychological and methodological underpinnings to Smith s later works, including The Wealth of Nations (1776), A Treatise on Public Opulence (1764) (first published in… …   Wikipedia

  • Smith, Adam — (baptized June 5, 1723, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scot. died July 17, 1790, Edinburgh) Scottish social philosopher and political economist. The son of a customs official, he studied at the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford. A series of public lectures in …   Universalium

  • Smith, Adam — (1723–1790) Scottish philosopher and economist. Although best remembered as an economist, Smith was a polymath, and an eminent social theorist and moral philosopher. Born in Kirkcaldy, he was educated at Glasgow university and Balliol College,… …   Philosophy dictionary

  • ideal observer — The view that what is morally best is what would be approved of by a benevolent, impartial, and all knowing observer. The motive behind the view is to combine the idea that the good is that which is approved of or chosen, with acknowledgement… …   Philosophy dictionary

  • Adam Smith — Infobox Philosopher region = Western Economists era = Classical economics (Modern economics) color = #B0C4DE name = Adam Smith birth = Baptised 16 June 1723 smaller| [OS: 5 June 1723] Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland death = death date and… …   Wikipedia

  • Francesco Guicciardini — (March 6, 1483 May 22, 1540) was an Italian historian and statesman. A friend and critic of Niccolò Machiavelli, he is considered one of the major political writers of the Italian Renaissance. Guicciardini is considered as the Father of Modern… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”