Justice and morality in Adam Smith's view

This article examines Adam Smith's thought in "The Theory of Moral Sentiments," focusing on the role of justice as the foundation of the social edifice. Smith, primarily known as an economist, emerges here as a profound moral philosopher. A key element of his theory is the concept of the impartial observer—an internal judge who allows an individual to evaluate their own and others' actions through the lens of sympathy and objectivity. The text discusses in detail the distinction between retributive and distributive justice and analyzes the influence of Stoicism and Epicureanism on Smith's thought. The author argues that for Smith, justice is not an optional virtue but a necessary condition for the existence of civilization, without which society would collapse. This is a profound study of the evolution of conscience and social morality in both historical and contemporary contexts.