The Combination of Smith's Egoism and Social Public Interest --Taking the Constraint on Egoism as a Perspective

Abstract

The combination of egoism and the social public interest is one of the topics that have been widely discussed in Adam Smith's two books, The Theory of Moral Sentiments and The Wealth of Nations. Based on the long-standing research on this topic in China, this paper selects the constraints on "egoism" common to both works to clarify the connection of "egoism" and the social public interest. Then it is conducive to understand more clearly the intention of this philosopher and economist, and to alleviate the long-standing ambiguity about the contradiction between the two views.