原來亞當斯密距離「幸福」那麼近？道德情操論－柳橙與橘子的部落格

人生的秘密，其實都和「選擇」脫離不了關係。亞當斯密因《國富論》而聲名大噪；較不為人知的是，他對於人們看待與對待自己的方式、在追求幸福的過程中所做的決定等等的個人行為，也有自己的一套理論，並且發表在《道德情操論》書中。作者以此書教大家如何以亞當斯密的眼光，在面對人生抉擇等問題時如何思考。

　　絕大多數經濟學家都不曾接觸《道德情操論》，就連本書作者Russ Roberts也一樣。直到某天讀完後，大受震撼的他認為這分明就是一部心靈自助的好書，乏人問津實在太可惜。為了讓經濟學祖師爺的智慧能為今人所用，Russ著手檢視亞當斯密被遺忘的傑作，今昔相比之下，發現三百年來的人性如出一轍，因為現代人仍然好奇於「需要付出什麼才能得到真正的幸福？」、「如何能讓世界更好？」等問題。

　　伴隨著亞當斯密給出的答案，Russ另外加添了許多當代時事、文學、歷史與大眾文化等新柴入灶，冶出一爐當代人性與幸福的最佳解答。(文/　博客來編譯)

　　A forgotten book by one of history's greatest thinkers reveals the surprising connections between happiness, virtue, fame, and fortune.

　　Adam Smith may have become the patron saint of capitalism after he penned his most famous work, The Wealth of Nations. But few people know that when it came to the behavior of individuals—the way we perceive ourselves, the way we treat others, and the decisions we make in pursuit of happiness—the Scottish philosopher had just as much to say. He developed his ideas on human nature in an epic, sprawling work titled The Theory of Moral Sentiments.

　　Most economists have never read it, and for most of his life, Russ Roberts was no exception. But when he finally picked up the book by the founder of his field, he realized he'd stumbled upon what might be the greatest self-help book that almost no one has read.

　　In How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life, Roberts examines Smith's forgotten masterpiece, and finds a treasure trove of timeless, practical wisdom. Smith's insights into human nature are just as relevant today as they were three hundred years ago. What does it take to be truly happy? Should we pursue fame and fortune or the respect of our friends and family? How can we make the world a better place? Smith's unexpected answers, framed within the rich context of current events, literature, history, and pop culture, are at once profound, counterintuitive, and highly entertaining.

　　By reinvigorating Smith's neglected classic, Roberts provides us with an invaluable look at human behavior through the lens of one of history's greatest minds.