# Part II: Of Merit and Demerit; or, of the Objects of Reward and Punishment explained — The Theory of Moral Sentiments

> Chapter companion for The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith.

## What happens

This part introduces the concepts of merit and demerit as the proper objects of reward and punishment. Merit is defined as an action that deserves reward because it is the proper object of gratitude, while demerit is an action that deserves punishment because it is the proper object of resentment. The discussion emphasizes the role of sympathetic feelings in determining moral approval or disapproval of actions and their consequences.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sympathy as the Foundation of Moral Judgment

Merit and demerit are defined through the sympathetic feelings of gratitude and resentment, which form the basis for reward and punishment.

### Justice as the Pillar of Society vs. Beneficence as Ornament

The distinction between merit (reward) and demerit (punishment) lays the groundwork for understanding justice as essential to social order.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/part-ii-of-merit-and-demerit-or-of-the-objects-of-reward-and-punishment
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters