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Smith distinguishes with great sophistication the different kinds of reasons people have in taking an interest in the lives of others, separating out sympathy, generosity, public spirit and other motivations. Even though he acknowledged the role of mental attitudes and predispositions, he went on to discuss how reasoning, which is at the heart of rationality, must have a big role in preventing us from being – consciously or unconsciously – too self-centred, or thoughtlessly uncaring.

— Amartya Sen

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More quotes by Amartya Sen

Globalization is not in itself a folly: It has enriched the world scientifically and culturally and benefited many people economically as well.

To ask how things are going and whether they can be improved is a constant and inescapable part of the pursuit of justice.

The Idea of Justice (2009)

People's identities as Indians, as Asians, or as members of the human race seemed to give way — quite suddenly — to sectarian identification with Hindu, Muslim, or Sikh communities.

No less importantly, intellectual probing is needed to identify deeds that are not intended to be injurious, but which have that effect...

The Idea of Justice (2009)

Being smarter may help the understanding not only of one’s self-interest, but also how the lives of others can be strongly affected by one’s own actions.

The Idea of Justice (2009)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Amartya Sen (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.