Admiration of Wealth and Power Breeds Servility and Undermines Freedom
Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) · The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759)
Adam Smith warned that when a society admires wealth and power for their own sake—rather than for the virtue or utility that might accompany them—it corrupts moral sentiments. Citizens become servile, aspiring to emulate the rich and powerful rather than cultivating virtue. This moral corruption undermines the individual's autonomy and the society's capacity for freedom, as people trade their independence for the hope of gaining favor with the powerful.
Core Concepts
The Problem
Societies risk losing their moral compass and political freedom when status and wealth become the primary markers of success, rather than virtue and contribution.
The Claim
The admiration of wealth and power for their own sake breeds a servile disposition and erodes the foundations of a free society.
Key Evidence
- •Smith's detailed psychological observations in The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Part I, Section III, where he describes the 'disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful.'
- •Historical examples of courtly servility and the decline of republics.
Practical Implication
To safeguard freedom, a society must cultivate a cultural ethos that honors virtue over wealth and teaches citizens to evaluate the rich and powerful with moral judgment, not blind admiration.
Nuance & Limits
Smith does not condemn wealth or success itself; he condemns the misguided admiration that separates wealth from worthiness. His solution lies in education and moral self-examination, not in leveling economic differences.
Source Material
Citation Density
Moderate — widely referenced in Smith scholarship and political philosophy
Related Ideas
Smith's warning about admiration of the rich is the dark side of the universal hunger for status; unchecked, this hunger leads individuals and societies to servility.
Gaps
- ⚠ Empirical research on how admiration of wealth correlates with reduced political participation or increased authoritarian attitudes.
Discuss Further
Open this concept in an AI assistant for deeper discussion, critique, or exploration.