PHIL 4325 Capitalism and Philosophy of Economics
This course examines capitalism from a philosophical perspective, identifying and critically evaluating the social norms that shape production, distribution, and consumption. Students will study theories of property, labor, class, and markets from both historically foundational (e.g. John Locke, A. Smith, K. Marx, R. Luxemburg, W.E.B. DuBois, J.M. Keynes, J. Buchanan, M. Friedman) as well as a lesser known or contemporary economic, political, and social philosophers. The selection and organization of these works may be chronological or thematic, and vary by semester. Themes include the economics dimensions of human, civil rights, political power, and state functions; forms and processes of commodifications; the function of debt; the formation of subjectivity and social identities; and environmental sustainability. Students will also learn to apply economics philosophies to historical and contemporary events at the local, national, and transnational levels.