Recently, economists have rediscovered the fact of the cultural embeddedness of institutions. This raises the question whether there are transcultural universals of institutions and institutional design. The paper pro...Recently, economists have rediscovered the fact of the cultural embeddedness of institutions. This raises the question whether there are transcultural universals of institutions and institutional design. The paper proposes that such universals cannot possibly be empirical givens, but have to be continuously created through transcultural discourse. I take a first step by putting family resemblances in the moral and social philosophy of Adam Smith and the Confucians into the context of the evolution of Western culture and economics. The tour d＇horizon starts with the thesis that the biased perception of Smith（ neglecting the moral philosopher） in economics mirrors its cultural embeddedness into what sociologist Norbert Elias has called the ＂homo clausus＂ construct in Western societies. I continue with a survey of most recent research in behavioural, institutional, and evolutionary economics which clearly prove the fallacies of the ＂homo clausus＂ assumptions of individual autonomy. This explains the recent revival of interest in the ＂Theory of Moral Sentiments＂ on part of economists. Indeed, many Smithian insights can be supported by the recent advances in economic research. One fascinating implication is that opening up a transcultural discourse between Western and Eastern moral philosophy might show the way towards a transcultural foundation of institutions. A number of ＂family resemblances＂ between Smith and Confucius are presented. I conclude by highlighting some contentious issues between China and the West in the global economy, where the transition to a moral economy with Smithian and Confucian foundations might help to find workable solutions.展开更多
亚当·斯密是一位特别注重修辞的学者,要想准确把握其道德理论核心,需要认真分析其代表作《道德情操论》的文本。The Theory of Moral Sentiments(TMS)标题中的moral sentiments是指人类在道德判断上的一种基本能力,是包含同情、良...亚当·斯密是一位特别注重修辞的学者,要想准确把握其道德理论核心,需要认真分析其代表作《道德情操论》的文本。The Theory of Moral Sentiments(TMS)标题中的moral sentiments是指人类在道德判断上的一种基本能力,是包含同情、良知、审美以及道德推理等多方面内容的,其根源在于人类以自己同情共感的能力经验到各种道德实践,又通过归纳、反思和推理来将其一般化,最后上升为指导道德抉择和道德行为的原理。斯密道德论的核心绝非"道德情操"本身,而是各种道德情感得以形成的同情共感机制。现在被广泛接受的中文翻译书名《道德情操论》容易误导读者,而翻译成《道德情感论》更符合斯密道德理论的核心内涵。展开更多
文摘Recently, economists have rediscovered the fact of the cultural embeddedness of institutions. This raises the question whether there are transcultural universals of institutions and institutional design. The paper proposes that such universals cannot possibly be empirical givens, but have to be continuously created through transcultural discourse. I take a first step by putting family resemblances in the moral and social philosophy of Adam Smith and the Confucians into the context of the evolution of Western culture and economics. The tour d＇horizon starts with the thesis that the biased perception of Smith（ neglecting the moral philosopher） in economics mirrors its cultural embeddedness into what sociologist Norbert Elias has called the ＂homo clausus＂ construct in Western societies. I continue with a survey of most recent research in behavioural, institutional, and evolutionary economics which clearly prove the fallacies of the ＂homo clausus＂ assumptions of individual autonomy. This explains the recent revival of interest in the ＂Theory of Moral Sentiments＂ on part of economists. Indeed, many Smithian insights can be supported by the recent advances in economic research. One fascinating implication is that opening up a transcultural discourse between Western and Eastern moral philosophy might show the way towards a transcultural foundation of institutions. A number of ＂family resemblances＂ between Smith and Confucius are presented. I conclude by highlighting some contentious issues between China and the West in the global economy, where the transition to a moral economy with Smithian and Confucian foundations might help to find workable solutions.
文摘亚当·斯密是一位特别注重修辞的学者,要想准确把握其道德理论核心,需要认真分析其代表作《道德情操论》的文本。The Theory of Moral Sentiments(TMS)标题中的moral sentiments是指人类在道德判断上的一种基本能力,是包含同情、良知、审美以及道德推理等多方面内容的,其根源在于人类以自己同情共感的能力经验到各种道德实践,又通过归纳、反思和推理来将其一般化,最后上升为指导道德抉择和道德行为的原理。斯密道德论的核心绝非"道德情操"本身,而是各种道德情感得以形成的同情共感机制。现在被广泛接受的中文翻译书名《道德情操论》容易误导读者,而翻译成《道德情感论》更符合斯密道德理论的核心内涵。
