The brilliant Scottish moral philosopher Adam Smith

[Guest]

The brilliant Scottish moral philosopher Adam Smith on morality.

Perhaps not the most scholarly source, but it's sufficient. From the prologue of the Adam Smith Institute:

The Theory Of Moral Sentiments was a real scientific breakthrough. It shows that our moral ideas and actions are a product of our very nature as social creatures. It argues that this social psychology is a better guide to moral action than is reason. It identifies the basic rules of prudence and justice that are needed for society to survive, and explains the additional, beneficent, actions that enable it to flourish.

Self-interest and sympathy. As individuals, we have a natural tendency to look after ourselves. That is merely prudence. And yet as social creatures, explains Smith, we are also endowed with a natural sympathy – today we would say empathy – towards others. When we see others distressed or happy, we feel for them – albeit less strongly. Likewise, others seek our empathy and feel for us. When their feelings are particularly strong, empathy prompts them to restrain their emotions so as to bring them into line with our, less intense reactions.

That's right, arguably the most important man in DCP's life next to Shakespeare and C. S. Lewis, so important that the author has admitted to keeping a stodgy bust of Adam Smith on his desk, agrees with Gemli about the source of morality!!!!!!!!!.

LOL!

And these beliefs were a part of his outline in The Wealth of Nations, a book the author nearly reveres as scripture.

So what, is Adam Smith, one of the greatest intellects of "the cause" an example of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? When he spoke about essentially, sentimentalism as the invisible hand of the market, he hit the bullseye within the bullseye, but when he spoke of morality, he became Mr. Hyde? A raving lunatic speaking of things like "empathy" without understanding the need for God to make rape (the apologist's favorite example apparently) not okay? If Adam Smith is right, then rape is okay? Is that a fair assessment of the apologist position?

Someone order a case of calamine lotion for the SeN proprietor, he's going to need it after this burn.

[_Dr. Shades]

Nice catch, Dean Robbers!

I pointed out one time--and it went ignored--that even the Mopologists themselves believe in an objective morality, independent of God, because their own scriptures say that there are infractions that, should He commit them, God would "cease to be God."

[_Gadianton]

I did see that and it was a good point. Mormonism, traditionally, is humanism to the core, including human pleasure being the basic source of goodness. The Mopologists, for some weird reason I don't quite understand, ruin the one thing that Mormonism has going for it over and above other Christian faiths. And it's sort of a contrarian position, given that Mormonism "rejects the creeds" and traditional theology and all that.

Yes, as you point out, morality is objective to even God. That is contrary to Plantinga though. and so you'll never get an answer. As if Plantinga has this least bit of a following from within Mormonism outside this one outspoken individual.

[_Philo Sofee]

Nice catch, Dean Robbers!

I pointed out one time--and it went ignored--that even the Mopologists themselves believe in an objective morality, independent of God, because their own scriptures say that there are infractions that, should He commit them, God would "cease to be God."

Ohmyheck! That's a fantastic point Shades!!!

[_Philo Sofee]

The brilliant Scottish moral philosopher Adam Smith on morality.

Perhaps not the most scholarly source, but it's sufficient. From the prologue of the Adam Smith Institute:

The Theory Of Moral Sentiments was a real scientific breakthrough. It shows that our moral ideas and actions are a product of our very nature as social creatures. It argues that this social psychology is a better guide to moral action than is reason. It identifies the basic rules of prudence and justice that are needed for society to survive, and explains the additional, beneficent, actions that enable it to flourish.

Self-interest and sympathy. As individuals, we have a natural tendency to look after ourselves. That is merely prudence. And yet as social creatures, explains Smith, we are also endowed with a natural sympathy – today we would say empathy – towards others. When we see others distressed or happy, we feel for them – albeit less strongly. Likewise, others seek our empathy and feel for us. When their feelings are particularly strong, empathy prompts them to restrain their emotions so as to bring them into line with our, less intense reactions.

That's right, arguably the most important man in DCP's life next to Shakespeare and C. S. Lewis, so important that the author has admitted to keeping a stodgy bust of Adam Smith on his desk, agrees with Gemli about the source of morality!!!!!!!!!.

LOL!

And these beliefs were a part of his outline in The Wealth of Nations, a book the author nearly reveres as scripture.

So what, is Adam Smith, one of the greatest intellects of "the cause" an example of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? When he spoke about essentially, sentimentalism as the invisible hand of the market, he hit the bullseye within the bullseye, but when he spoke of morality, he became Mr. Hyde? A raving lunatic speaking of things like "empathy" without understanding the need for God to make rape (the apologist's favorite example apparently) not okay? If Adam Smith is right, then rape is okay? Is that a fair assessment of the apologist position?

Someone order a case of calamine lotion for the SeN proprietor, he's going to need it after this burn.

Beautiful discovery Dean Robbers!!! Sooooooooo rich in total I-R-O-N-Y.......