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Religion and Two-Level Utilitarianism in Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Falco, Steven O
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Abstract

The questions concerning Adam Smith’s religious views and his purported support for utilitarianism have each generated a substantial literature. In this thesis, I propose a response to the first of these problems which I believe also helps resolve the second one. First, I argue that Smith’s references to God in The Theory of Moral Sentiments reflect his sincere theological commitments, not merely his account of the psychology of religious belief or his attempt to avoid charges of atheism. I then show that Smith conceives of God as a utilitarian creator who designed our moral sentiments so that they would most effectively promote the utility of humanity as a whole. I combine these two claims to develop an interpretation of Smith as a two-level utilitarian where the Impartial Spectator determines the morality of the lower level and God does so for the higher one.

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Date
2021-05-13
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Keywords
Adam Smith, Impartial Spectator, Two-Level Utilitarianism, Moral Psychology, Moral Sentimentalism, Religion
Citation
Falco, Steven O. "Religion and Two-Level Utilitarianism in Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments." 2021. Thesis, Georgia State University. https://doi.org/10.57709/23202553
Embargo Lift Date
2021-06-04
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