The Theory of Moral Sentiments. . . To which is added a dissertation on the origin of languages.

8vo (207 x 127 mm). [8], 476 (i.e. 478), [2] pp. including advertisement leaf at end, p. 478 misnumbered 476, leaves D7 and D8 have signatures and are possibly cancels. Contemporary English tree calf, plain spine with rich gilt decoration and gilt-lettered morocco label (joints repaired, extremities rubbed, corners and spine ends scuffed). Small pale dampstain to upper outer corner of some pages at beginning, but generally clean and unmarked. Provenance: Matilda Hoissard (inscription on front pastedown); Mr. Ree (letter from Richard Oley, bookseller in South Shields to owner loosely attached). A very good wide-margined copy in original binding. ---- ESTCT95116; Alston III, 825; Kress 5815; Goldsmith 9537 (both for 1st ed.) - THE VERY RARE FOURTH EDITION. Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments is drawn from his course of lectures while he was a professor of philosophy at Glasgow Univrsity. "The work received wide acclaim and so impressed the stepfather of the young duke of Buccleuch that he invited Smith to become the duke's tutor, with the promise of a pension for life. . . The greater part of the Theory of Moral Sentiments is an account of moral psychology. . . The mainstay of Smith's moral psychology is sympathy. . . Smith characterizes the mechanism of sympathy in this way: 'Whatever is the passion which arises from any object in the person principally concerned, an analogous emotion springs up at the thought of this situation, in the breast of every attentive spectator'. . . Smith argues that if the appearance of grief or joy, for example, arouses similar feelings in us, it is because these feelings suggest to us the general idea of some good or evil that has befallen the person in whom we observe them" (Encyclopedia of Philosophy VII, pp. 461ff). "The Theory of Moral Sentiments was [first] published in April 1759 and at once brought Smith something more than local fame. It was hailed by David Hume in typical ironic manner: 'I proceed to tell you the melancholy news', he wrote from London, 'that your book has been very unfortunate: for the public seem disposed to applaud it extremely'" (Mossner. Adam Smith: The Biographical Approach, p. 12). - Visit our website to see more images.…