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Ethics and Values / Unit 4   Ethics 159 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Smith's Impartial Spectator

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The idea

Smith's standard: a sentiment or act is morally approvable when an informed, impartial spectator would sympathize with it.

In practice

Before replying to the insulting email, imagine a fair-minded stranger reading the exchange. What that stranger could go along with is Smith's whole measure.

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