Episode 145: Morality and Economics

Season 1 Episode 145

James and Antony record before a live audience at Truman State University, asking the question, “Is Capitalism moral?” Their answer wends its way through the definition of morality, whether morality requires a religious basis, whether markets beget or reflect morality, whether self-interest is immoral or a motivator that can be harnessed to encourage people to want to help each other.

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Quick hits

Chicago library drops fines

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/chicago-first-to-ditch-overdue-library-fees/

Ohio allows wrong answers https://www.newsweek.com/ohio-student-religious-liberties-act-1472008

Foolishness of the week

Billionaires’ tears

https://shop.elizabethwarren.com/products/billionaire-tears-mug

Topic of the week: The morality of capitalism

Paul Ryan’s Catholicism and the poor

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444375104577592892933747400