This module will introduce students to the history of philosophical engagement with the capitalist economic system, while also equipping them to think critically about how the economy works today.

(LO1) Students will be able to produce work which demonstrates understanding of a number of key texts in the history of philosophy which are relevant to the philosophy of capitalism.

(LO2) Students will be able to apply their understanding of key texts in the history of philosophy in producing work that addresses problems relating to contemporary capitalism.

(LO3) Students will be able to draw on their knowledge and experience of their own economic situation to think critically about texts in the history of philosophy.

(LO4) Students will be able to think critically and ethically about the economy and their place in it.

(S1) Students will enhance their ability to conduct philosophical research.

(S2) Students will enhance their abilities in reading and understanding texts and in comprehending abstract material.

(S3) Students will enhance their ability to marshal arguments and present them orally and in writing.

(S4) Students will enhance their oral and written communication skills and develop skill in explaining complex material in a precise manner.

(S5) Students will develop their ability to work independently.

(S6) Students will develop their ability to sift through information, assessing the relevance and importance of the information to what is at issue.

(S7) Students will develop their skills in making appropriate use of information technology, information on the World Wide Web and relevant reference works and databases.

(S8) Students will develop the ability to write to a professional standard.

(S9) Students will enhance their capacity to participate, in a dispassionate and respectful manner, in debates about controversial and socially important matters.

(S10) Students will develop their ability to organise their own time.

The module will focus on three key questions: 1. How does capitalism work? 2. Can capitalism be (morally) justified? 3. What (if anything) is the alternative to capitalism? In answering these questions, the syllabus may shift year-on-year. An indicative but non-exhaustive list of topics that may feature includes :

- Adam Smith on the division of labour and the ‘invisible hand’.
- Karl Marx on capitalist exploitation and alienation
- Marx and Engels on history and revolution.
- Hayek on the problem of local knowledge.
- Keynes vs Hayek: social democracy vs. neoliberalism.
- Mark Fisher, ‘Capitalist Realism’ and the ‘slow cancellation of the future’.
- Big-tech and ‘neo-feudalism’.
- Feminist approaches to capitalism/work.
- Green critiques of capitalism/degrowth.

Lecture will take place once per week. They will introduce the topic for each week. Students will be encouraged to engage actively with the lecture material, for instance by asking questions, or contributing to attempts to define key concepts.

Attendance recorded: Yes.

Teaching Method 2 – Seminar.

Each seminar will be focused on a piece of set reading. Seminars offer a formative space for feedback and discussion, and an opportunity for students to test out their ideas.

Attendance recorded: Yes.