It's not all about you.

Adam Smith (1723–1790) was a brilliant, if not eccentric, Scottish economist, philosopher, and psychologist all rolled into one. Smith explained why, despite our selfish feelings, an internal voice helps us be more sensitive to the needs of others.

Aim too, please.

Widely cited as the father of modern economics, Smith authored The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759). In publishing the book, Smith’s goal was to explain the source of mankind’s ability to form moral judgments in spite of man’s natural inclinations toward self-interest. What he called moral sentiments are feelings or emotions of approval, disapproval, gratitude, resentment, and so on.

Smith felt that the act of observing others makes us sympathetically aware of ourselves. In other words, we imagine how we would feel if we were in the place of the other person and this “feeling with” affects our own behavior. For example, how do you think the next reliever will feel if you pee on the toilet seat? Pissed off? You bet! As a result, you tend to aim more carefully when draining your lizard.

Under the influence.

Smith contends that much of human behavior is largely swayed by the “passions.” These are emotions such as fear and anger, the drives of hunger and sex, and other motivational factors such as pain. Our passions are moderated by an internal voice of reason, an imagined “man within the breast” that allows us to see our own feelings from the perspective of an external observer rather than simply being blinded by our own needs.

It is the approbation, or disapproval, of this impartial spectator that makes us aware of the nature of our own conduct. Smith describes it as a “moral hector who, looking over the shoulder of the economic man, scrutinizes every move he makes.” The internal struggle between our impulsive, fickle, and indispensable passions and our impartial spectator makes us aware of the nature of our own conduct and helps us to override our compelling behavior.

Improve your sex life?

In this respect, Smith’s work anticipated much of the modern view of behavioral economics. As the driver of our actions, his idea of an impartial spectator neatly explains our concurrent use of reason and emotion. Smith tells us “this self-deceit, this fatal weakness of mankind, is the source of half the disorders of human life” (not to mention, a waste of toilet paper). As for your sex life, well, we can probably infer that it won’t hurt it.

NeXters, how does this apply to you?

Examine your thinking as you imagine any other fair and impartial spectator would examine it. Passions say “Indulge!” Impartial spectator says, “Not so fast!”
Like a higher conscience, the impartial spectator dispassionately reminds you to pause and consider a realistic view of your own ability and prospects. And that of others.
Become more aware of your own questionable beliefs, remind yourself to examine your assumptions, and make an effort to challenge what you think you know.
The impartial spectator keeps you grounded in reality, but if passions are sufficiently intense, it can be stifled. Resist always responding with, “What’s in it for me?”
Seek out an experienced and responsible adult that you know and trust. Chances are they know you better than you know yourself. How they see things may surprise you.

Wisdom is the application of common sense and good judgment to things that matter. You are not the only thing that matters.