Butler and the Scottish Enlightenment: His Relationship with Adam Smith

Butler and Smith had similarities inEnlightenment their moral philosophy. Butler's conscience resembles Smith's impartial spectatorImpartial spectator in that both were to direct sentiments and passionsPassion. However, unlike Butler, Smith's impartial spectatorImpartial spectator was not hierarchical. This was relevant to their difference in political thought. In addition, because, unlike Butler, Smith did not think that the political or moral supreme principle should control other principles, he did not think of society as hierarchical. He did not think that hierarchical religious order was necessary for the maintenance of society. Instead, the ordinary could be prudent.