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Guy Bassini's avatar

Ms. Liu is in good company as Mr. Swain dismisses Smith’s “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” as not “very good” not a “great work of philosophy” and “mostly unreadable.” Perhaps Smith did not set out to invent a new school of philosophy, but he provides us with the observations of a wise man. He lamented that “the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments [is] that wealth and greatness are often regarded with the respect and admiration which are due only to wisdom and virtue.” No words ring truer today or could serve us better in choosing whom to admire or elect.

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John Howard Brown's avatar

I couldn't read the excerpt of the WSJ review you attached. Fortunately (?) I have a subscription, So I read it there. I avoid the editorial page like a plague. The red flag was that the reviewer is a WSJ editorial page employee. BTW, I also skip the NYT editorial page, except for Krugman who I read as a professional courtesy. WSJ. cultural coverage is a mixed bag; much right wing grievance venting, some genuinely insightful essays. The review of Adam Smith's America was very much the first variety. It reminded me of our state legislators complaining about professors brainwashing students. I hope the book receives better reviews elsewhere.

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