Quiz: The Theory of Moral Sentiments

12 questions drawn at random. Score 80% for a silver medal.

1. According to Smith, what “great fallacy” lets Mandeville conclude that private vices are public benefits? Confusing natural philosophy with moral philosophy, as the Epicureans did Denying that trade, industry and the refined arts are of any benefit to society Assuming that men are naturally benevolent Treating every passion as wholly vicious if it is so in any degree
2. What institution does Smith say principally gave rise to books of casuistry? The universities’ disputations The courts of equity Auricular confession The Inquisition
3. What mistake does the “man of system” make, in Smith’s chessboard image? He respects popular prejudices too much He refuses to hold any general idea of good policy, trusting only to circumstance He forgets that each member of society has its own principle of motion He relies on foreign alliances and conquests rather than on domestic reform
4. What does Smith say are the only advantages we propose from “bettering our condition”? Security against future want To be observed, attended to and approved Ease and freedom from labour Better food, clothing and shelter for our families
5. How does Smith describe the Africans subjected to the slave trade? As savages without self-command As naturally fitted by constitution for labour in hot climates As nations of heroes As people corrupted by European luxury
6. To what does Smith compare the rules of justice? The rules of a game of chance The rules critics lay down for elegance and sublimity The proverbial maxims of prudence The rules of grammar
7. In the example of the earthquake in China, what does Smith say prevents a man from sacrificing millions to save his little finger? Calculation of the commercial losses that Europe would suffer Fear of the law and of punishment The soft power of natural benevolence Reason, principle, conscience: the man within the breast
8. According to Smith, what would a human being raised in complete solitude be unable to think about? The external objects that pleased or hurt him The means of getting food and shelter His own bodily pains and pleasures The propriety or demerit of his own character and conduct
9. How does Smith explain the ancient philosophers’ concern with enduring misfortune and death? The influence of Egyptian religion, with its doctrine of the judgment of the dead The tyranny of the Persian kings, whose subjects lived in constant fear of their power The frequent plagues and famines of the ancient world, which no physician’s art could relieve Faction and war in the small Greek republics exposed every citizen to exile or death
10. What distinction does Smith draw in chapter II of Part III? Between the love of the rich and the love of the wise Between the natural passions and those acquired by habit and education Between the love of praise and the love of praise-worthiness Between justice and beneficence
11. What is Smith’s first objection to the view that we approve of virtue because of its utility? It cannot explain why we disapprove of cruelty Utility is never perceived by ordinary people It makes morality depend on the commands of God It would make praising a man like commending a chest of drawers
12. What does Smith call “the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments”? The influence of false religious systems The disposition to admire the rich and great and to neglect the poor The habit of judging actions by their consequences rather than their motives The selfish philosophy of Hobbes and Mandeville

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