TMS – Part VII

  1. Why does Smith want to discuss the major schools of ethics that came before him?
  2. What are the two central questions to be examined when considering principles of morals?
  3. What are the three main schools Smith intends to discuss on the nature of virtue?
  4. What did Plato think reason was the key to virtue?
  5. What two basic categories did the passions fall into?
  6. What are the four major virtues for Plato? Explain each.
  7. What does Smith say is the key to understanding Aristotle’s theory of virtue? Explain.
  8. For the Stoics what did the “Author of Nature” place within us to guide our behavior and serve as a standard?
  9. Is it success or failure that matters or the choices we make in pursuing success? Explain.
  10. How does the Stoic view lead to the conclusion that ordinary human affairs matter very little? What does Stoicism result in?
  11. What is Smith’s critique of Stoicism?
  12. In what did virtue consist for Epicurus?
  13. Why are the pleasures of the mind greater than those of the body?
  14. What does Smith mean by prudence?
  15. What are Smith’s objections to the Epicurean view?
  16. Who were the people who considered virtue to consist in benevolence?
  17. What reasons can be offered for concluding that benevolence is the sole basis of virtue?
  18. How does Smith refute the arguments that virtue consists only in benevolence?
  19. Why didn’t Smith discuss obedience to the will of the Deity in a separate chapter?
  20. How does vanity fit into Mandeville’s view of human nature?
  21. What is the distinction that Mandeville ignores which refutes his view of vanity?
  22. Do Mandeville and Smith agree on the moral value of self-interest?
  23. How does the topic of Section III differ from that of Section II?
  24. Describe the three schools discussed in Section III>
  25. How does Smith argue against Hobbes that virtue cannot be reduced simply to self-love?
  26. Describe Cudworth’s argument against Hobbes.
  27. Why isn’t reason the foundation for our moral judgments for Smith?
  28. Why doesn’t Smith’s view reduce to saying that virtue is simply what pleases?
  29. What are the two main schools within the sentiment-is-the-basis-for-approbation school?
  30. What does Smith say is wrong with Hutchison’s “moral sense” theory?

These study guide questions are the work of Professor Douglas Den Uyl.