The Spirit of Smithian Laws

By Daniel B Klein

The Spirit of Smithian Laws discusses Adam Smith's ethics. His impartial-spectator process is a dynamic call upward, enabling one to better sustain his or her locus of affirmation, to better cohere as a just human being. The puzzle is always: Wherein lies better? Which way is up? Smith's approach to the puzzle runs against foundationalism. His ethical thought is here called beholderism. It is organized by organons, chief of which is the notion of a beholder who is God or who is God-like in knowledge and universal benevolence (if not more). The chapters are:

Major Themes and Ambling through a Few SpiralsWho Is Adam Smith's Impartial Spectator?Beholderism: In Praise of Adam Smith's Organon and AllegoryHume and Smith on Utility, Agreeableness, Propriety, and Moral ApprovalAdam Smith's NonfoundationalismOught Is an Is regarding What is Owed to God/Joy: On the Positive-Normative DistinctionThe Circumstantiality of Bivariate Relationships in TMSIn a Word or Two, Placed in the MiddleSmith's Attitude toward RousseauTMS's Appeal Moves with Openness to Nonfoundationalism: 35 Critics, 1765-1949Circa 1800

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1957698047
• ISBN13: 9781957698045
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Fraser Institute
• Length: 334 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"