I just finished a charming new book
by Russ Roberts, entitled,
"How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life". It is a quick, fun read, and brings to life the ideas of Adam Smith, the Scottish philosopher who is best known for his classic work, "The Wealth of Nations." That book is considered the ultimate defense of the capitalist system, and an explication of how self -interest can be the invisible hand that moves the economy. In this book however, Roberts focuses on a lesser known work of Smith's entitled, "The Theory of Moral Sentiments." While the Wealth of Nations focuses on the economic macrocosm, Moral Sentiments looks at the smaller circle of our relationships, and how we ought to behave to maximize those.
Of most interest to mindful educators is his notion of the "impartial spectator." Smith notes how we have the ability to step back and look at our lives as if from a distance, as a spectator might watch a contest or game. This "meta-awareness" is perhaps our most human faculty, which separates us from all the other species. Not only can we watch ourselves in the moment, but we can project ourselves into the future, as we wish to be. This is very akin to mindfulness, where we can "step back" and view our thoughts and feelings as if from a distance, instead of being immediately identified or "caught up with" them.
According to Jack Russell Weinstein of the University of North Dakota,
"The impartial spectator is the anthropomorphization of the calm and disinterested self that can be recovered with self control and self reflection. In today's world, someone might advise us to "take a deep breath and step back" from a given situation in order to reflect on our actions more dispassionately."
Mindfulness, broadly speaking, is not only about calm or stress relief. It is also about this type of perspective and self-reflection, that can come about only by stopping, and looking inward. And for Smith, the impartial spectator includes the ethical reflection that is so necessary to develop in a mature and mindful person. Many thanks to author Russ Roberts for putting out this engaging and fascinating read.
by Russ Roberts, entitled,
Of most interest to mindful educators is his notion of the "impartial spectator." Smith notes how we have the ability to step back and look at our lives as if from a distance, as a spectator might watch a contest or game. This "meta-awareness" is perhaps our most human faculty, which separates us from all the other species. Not only can we watch ourselves in the moment, but we can project ourselves into the future, as we wish to be. This is very akin to mindfulness, where we can "step back" and view our thoughts and feelings as if from a distance, instead of being immediately identified or "caught up with" them.
According to Jack Russell Weinstein of the University of North Dakota,
"The impartial spectator is the anthropomorphization of the calm and disinterested self that can be recovered with self control and self reflection. In today's world, someone might advise us to "take a deep breath and step back" from a given situation in order to reflect on our actions more dispassionately."
Mindfulness, broadly speaking, is not only about calm or stress relief. It is also about this type of perspective and self-reflection, that can come about only by stopping, and looking inward. And for Smith, the impartial spectator includes the ethical reflection that is so necessary to develop in a mature and mindful person. Many thanks to author Russ Roberts for putting out this engaging and fascinating read.
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