What Aristotle Thought About Money

I could go through the history of capitalism, mentioning Adam Smith and the like, but these are things the majority of people know, something that is often taught as a mandatory class in high school (with good reason, we'll get to that later...)

Well, much to the dismay of world historians, we are going to be taking a "family photo album" approach to the history of capitalism, that is, viewing it as though we are going back from the present to the past, and everything is related to why we are here right now, in the situation we're in.

We will start where most history classes in the U.S. begin- Aristotle. He lived from 384-322 BC and was disturbed by a new idea that was circulating at the time. This idea was a new way of looking at commerce and money. People were starting to invent the idea of money in the place of commodities (things). Aristotle, in the greek tradition of moderation, perceived money as an unnatural necessity of human beings. He believed that humans were born with no real need for money (but with necessities only sustainable to life- like food, shelter, water, and love). He argued that because humans had no real need for money, money could have an endless limit and consume the minds of people. For example, because you have a natural need for food, you know your limits (when you're full), or because you have a natural need for water, you know your limits (when you're quenched). Money, on the other hand, was something entirely different and new. People have no natural need for money- so the limit of money is unclear and unnatural.

Well, obviously Aristotle didn't win over ancient Greece with his argument, as money is extensively present in the world today. However, I think it is important to note this because it represents a time when things were very different. A lot of people look at situations today and assume "it has always been this way", but that is not so. This brings me to my next point:

In learning about global problems it is important overcome your ethnocentric perspectives on the world. Take your head out of your little bubble and look around! As I said earlier, in solving global problems it is essential to think globally, almost as if you could examine the earth like God. It is also important to note that you have to compensate for the lack of background you have in economics, history, or antrhopology. I certainly do not claim to know everything! And while I think it is important to learn about the world around you everyday, it is virtually impossible for any human being to know everything. You certainly do not have to have a master's in economics to understand capitalism and its affects. Another important point is that global problems, though they seem a bijillion miles away from the U.S., impact your life.You are affected by them everyday, either direcctly or indirectly and whether you realize it or not. So, yes, this involves and affects you! The world is a giant sphere of spiderwebs, all entangled and connected to one another.

To Be Continued...