Question

if morality represents the way we would like the world to work and economics represents how it actually does work, then the story of feldman’s bagel business lies at the very intersection of morality and economics. yes, a lot of people steal from him, but the vast majority, even though no is watching over them, do not. this outcome may surprise some people—including feldman’s economist friends, who counseled him twenty years ago that his honor - system scheme would never work. but it would not have surprised adam smith. in fact, theme of smith’s first book, the theory of moral sentiments, was the innate honesty of mankind. “how selfish soever man may be supposed,” smith wrote, “there are evidently some principles in his nature which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.”
which best describes the authors’ purpose in using a quotation from adam smith’s book the theory of moral sentiments?
○ to highlight their knowledge of scottish philosophers
○ to prove that people are inherently dishonest
○ to demonstrate that incentive is the driving force behind cheating
○ to lend credibility and additional support to their conclusion

Explanation:

The passage discusses how Feldman's bagel business shows most people are honest even without supervision, and then uses Adam Smith's quote. The first three options don't fit: highlighting knowledge of philosophers is not the purpose, the quote is about inherent honesty (not dishonesty), and it's not about incentives for cheating. Using a quote from a respected figure like Smith supports the conclusion about human honesty, adding credibility.

Answer:

D. to lend credibility and additional support to their conclusion