PHIL 252  Philosophy of Money
Syllabus – keep handy for reference

 

Dr. Aeon J. Skoble

341 Tillinghast, x2460 

Email: askoble@bridgew.edu   Web: http://webhost.bridgew.edu/askoble

Office hours: M 10-11, TR 11-12, or by appointment

 

Texts:

1. The Philosophy of Money, Georg Simmel (Routledge) at bookstore

2. The Mystery of Capital, Hernando de Soto (Basic Books) at bookstore

2. Other readings to distributed in class or on the web

 

Overview and objectives:

This course will explore questions of social philosophy pertaining to money.  Central questions include: What is money?  Where does it come from?  What is its function?   How should we understand its value in relation to other values?  How are money, wealth, and value related?  Does money have to be based on metal?  Does money stifle individuality and promote alienation, or does it foster individuality and promote equality?  What are the implications of inequality of wealth?  What role does government play in these matters?  What is “capitalism,” and how does its conception of money differ from that of, say, socialism?   We will work through  most of Simmel’s book The Philosophy of Money and De Soto’s book The Mystery of Capital, in addition to readings from Carl Menger, Georg Knapp, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, J. M. Keynes, Ayn Rand, Karl Marx, Adam Smith, Leonidas Zelmanovitz, and possibly others.

 

 

Requirements:

1. Weekly journal responses - 30%

2. Active participation in class discussion – 10%

3. Two short papers - @30% each = 60%

“Active participation” implies that regular attendance is itself also a requirement of the class.  This is a reflection of the fact that the primary vehicle for learning the material is the class itself, of which you should see yourself as a part.  Obviously there is such a thing as a good reason to miss class, but please be sure you limit your absences to such occasions.  Absences in excess of three will result in reduction of your grade.  Excessive lateness will count as absence.  You are expected to have done the readings and be prepared to comment on them in class.  If you do have to miss class, it is your responsibility to get the notes, and any announcements or additional assignments, from a classmate.   (On the other hand, if I am late, it almost certainly means I am ill – call the department office at x1258 to find out.)   Adjustments to your grade will be made for both constructive participation in discussions and disruptive behavior, as well as for excessive absences.  What is “constructive participation,” and how is it different from “disruptive behavior”?   Vigorous and passionate disagreement is expected, but in an atmosphere of civility, courtesy, mutual respect.  Decorum matters in those contexts, because that is what enables the coexistence of dispute and civility.  There is a difference between philosophical argument (which is cooperative and constructive) and belligerent bickering.  You should feel free to ask questions of me and of your classmates, and to agree or disagree as you see fit, but you must strive to maintain an atmosphere of civil discourse, meaning, first, distinguishing between attacks on an idea and attacks on a person, and second, observing some of the ground rules of civilized society.  Cell phones, laptops, tablets, and hats) should be off, eat and drink quietly and discreetly, don’t read the newspaper or do homework for another class, don’t go to sleep.   

 

 

 

General Outline (subject to revision):

Jan 19 – intro to topic

Jan 24-26 – origin and essence of money: state theory vs catallactic theory- Menger, Knapp

Jan 31-Feb 2 -  origins/essence continued; metallism; money/wealth/value – Menger, Mises

Feb 7-9 – money and value continued-Simmel

Feb 14 –money and teleology-Simmel

Feb16 – guest lecture (class will meet in DMF auditorium)

Feb 21 (no class 2/23) -  money, freedom, and culture- Simmel, Mises, Smith

Feb 28-Mar 2 – alienation - Marx

Mar 14-16- money and individuality -Simmel

Mar 21-23 – wealth and value revisited- Simmel, Smith, Rand, Horwitz

Mar 28 – guest lecture (class will meet in Heritage Room) (no class 3/30)
Apr 4-6 – inequality and state policy regarding money – De Soto

Apr 11-13 – state policy and markets in political economy continued- De Soto, Zelmanovitz

Apr 18 – no class
Apr 20 – cryptocurrency

Apr 25-27 – money in different political economies (Keynes, Hayek)