Abstract

NOVOA ARTIGAS, Nicolás. Adam Smith's complex view on moral luck. Ideas y Valores [online]. 2016, vol.65, n.160, pp.179-203. ISSN 0120-0062.  https://doi.org/10.15446/ideasyvalores.v65n160.44484.

This article seeks to clarify Adam Smith's treatment of the so called "moral luck" problem. While Smith's position is not simple or evident, the articles shows that Smith's thesis affirms the existence of consequential moral luck based on the impartial spectator. It does so by highlighting the methodic meaning of his procedure and analyzing certain key issues, such as the character the appeal to nature and the teleological justifications. Four structural moments are distinguished (observation of paradox, explanation, social justification and decision of the issue based on the impartial spectator) and it is argued that only in the latter is his position decided.

Keywords : A. Smith; moral; moral luck.

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