Smith´s analysis of human actions

Abstract

In this article, Adam Smith’s ethics are explored; it is demanded how tenable some of his conclusions are. § 1 is focused on Smith’s treatment of selfish and non-selfish acts. In § 2, the consequences of the conclusions presented in § 1 for ethics are dealt with, describing Smith’s position and the problems it entails. § 2.3 consists of an attempt to present an alternative for Smith’s theory, in which some of Hobbes’s thoughts are helpful. It appears that Smith’s method is commendable, but some of the consequences of his theory are problematical.

Keywords

• Ethics
• Selfishness
• Altruism
• Smith
• Hobbes