Recognition in Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Abstract

There is an important role for recognition in The Theory of Moral Sentiments. There is recognition in the sympathetic process, in love and wealth accumulation. Because the sympathetic process is intersubjective as in the psychoanalytic literature, it is based on recognition of minds, which results from the mirroring process of mothers. Love, which is based on mutual regard, requires mutual recognition. Individuals are motivated with the need to form relationships, in which they recognize each other, as in the psychoanalytic literature on object relations theory, and philosophical writings. The third form of recognition is based on wealth accumulation, which gives esteem and admiration. Esteem results from recognition and is born out of interpersonal interactions. We contribute to the literature by highlighting the importance of recognition in the sympathetic process, in love and wealth accumulation based on psychoanalytic and philosophical literature.