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Can Empathy Be a Moral Resource? A Smithean Reply to Jesse Prinz

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2016

MILLICENT CHURCHER
MILLICENT CHURCHER*
Affiliation:
University of Sydney
*
*<millicent.churcher@sydney.edu.au>
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Abstract

This paper critiques Jesse Prinz’s rejection of Adam Smith’s model of impartial spectatorship as a viable corrective to empathic bias. I argue that Prinz’s case is unconvincing, insofar as it rests on an underdeveloped account of Smith’s view of critical self-regulation. By presenting a more detailed and attentive reading of Smithean impartial spectatorship, and exploring Smith’s compelling account of structural supports for sympathetic engagement, this paper demonstrates how Smith’s work is able to constructively engage with contemporary concerns regarding empathy’s role in guiding moral behaviour.

Cet article présente une critique de la position de Jesse Prinz, qui refuse de reconnaître la fonction corrective des préjugés empathiques dans le modèle du «spectateur impartial» d’Adam Smith. Je soutiens que la thèse de Prinz n’est pas convaincante, car elle repose sur une interprétation insuffisante du pouvoir critique du sujet introduit par Smith. Cet article met au jour «l’engagement sympathique» de la philosophie de Smith. Celle-ci émane de la réponse créative du jugement moral que le «spectateur impartial» porte sur autrui. Cette lecture plus attentive de Smith permet de reconnaitre l’importance pratique de son travail et sa capacité à contribuer aux discussions contemporaines concernant ce rôle primaire que l’empathie peut jouer dans l’élaboration de nos conduites morales.

Keywords

empathyimaginationAdam Smithimpartial spectatorshipJesse Prinz

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Articles
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Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review / Revue canadienne de philosophie , Volume 55 , Issue 3 , September 2016 , pp. 429 - 447
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Copyright © Canadian Philosophical Association 2016 

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