Published Apr 6, 2009

Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 1--An Overview

Russ Roberts and Dan Klein delve into Adam Smith's 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments,' exploring themes of morality, justice, and the balance between coercion and benevolence, offering insights into how Smith's ideas on human nature influence societal norms and government actions.

Episode Highlights

Topics covered

Episode Highlights

Related Episodes

Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 2--A Discussion of Part I
Answers 383 questions
Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 4--A Discussion of Part III
Answers 383 questions
Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 6--A Discussion of Parts VI and VII, and Summary
Answers 383 questions
Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 3--A Discussion of Part II
Answers 383 questions
Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 5--A Discussion of Parts III (cont.), IV, and V
Answers 383 questions
James Otteson on Adam Smith
Answers 383 questions
David Rose on the Moral Foundations of Economic Behavior
Answers 383 questions
Vernon Smith and James Otteson on Adam Smith
Answers 383 questions
Daniel Klein on Honest Income
Answers 383 questions
Russ Roberts and Michael Munger on How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life
Answers 383 questions
Vernon Smith on Adam Smith and the Human Enterprise
Answers 383 questions
Dan Klein on Coordination and Cooperation
Answers 383 questions
Michael Munger on How Adam Smith Solved the Trolley Problem
Answers 383 questions
David Schmidtz on Rawls, Nozick, and Justice
Answers 383 questions
Dan Klein on Truth, Bias, and Disagreement
Answers 383 questions

Dexa/Russ Roberts

Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 1--An Overview

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Tensions in Capitalism

The Impartial Spectator

Motivation and Self-Interest

Moral Actions and Long-Term Consequences

Different Types of Justice

Smith's Views on Taxation

The Indeterminacy of Moral Sentiments

Price Gouging and Moral Dimensions

The Danger of Extending Natural Beneficence

Ownership and Justice

The Role of Moral Guidance

The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Dimensions of Moral Approval

Smith's Cultural Agenda

Giver's Motivation, Recipient's Perspective

Episode Highlights

Limits of Coercion

Concepts of Justice

Theory of Moral Sentiments

Related Episodes

Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 2--A Discussion of Part I

Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 4--A Discussion of Part III

Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 6--A Discussion of Parts VI and VII, and Summary

Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 3--A Discussion of Part II

Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 5--A Discussion of Parts III (cont.), IV, and V

James Otteson on Adam Smith

David Rose on the Moral Foundations of Economic Behavior

Vernon Smith and James Otteson on Adam Smith

Daniel Klein on Honest Income

Russ Roberts and Michael Munger on How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life

Vernon Smith on Adam Smith and the Human Enterprise

Dan Klein on Coordination and Cooperation

Michael Munger on How Adam Smith Solved the Trolley Problem

David Schmidtz on Rawls, Nozick, and Justice

Dan Klein on Truth, Bias, and Disagreement

Dan Klein on The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Episode 1--An Overview

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

Limits of CoercionThe conversation between Russ Roberts and Dan Klein examines the moral dilemmas of coercion and the natural inclination towards benevolence. They explore how these concepts relate to justice and the risks of extending familial benevolence to society at large.

Limits of Coercion

Concepts of JusticeThe discussion shifts to Adam Smith's concepts of commutative and distributive justice, highlighting their roles in property rights and moral obligations. Dan Klein and Russ Roberts explore how these ideas shape societal norms and government intervention.

Concepts of Justice

Theory of Moral Sentiments

Related Episodes