What Binds Us to Society? Instinct, Human Nature or Morality?:Adam Ferguson’s Views on Man and Society as Shown in Principles of Moral and Political Science（ 1792）

This study examines how Adam Ferguson （1723―1816） attempted to explain how society is established and social ties are created. I believe that this will help us understand the background for exploring the reasons why Ferguson criticized Adam Smith’s （1723―1790） idea of “sympathy.” Ferguson argues that in a nation formed by “the principle of expediency” and even in an empire, men gradually begin to have warm affection for their society and national spirit. But where does such affection or spirit come from? According to Ferguson, it’s not out of instinct. Based on this study, my next research task is to clarify the “political” human nature of man as a “gregarious political” animal by examining Ferguson’s idea of moral approbation and his progressivism and perfectibilianism.