3/24/16
Syllabus for Honors 351: Wealth, Well-Being, and Social Justice
Instructor: Kenneth W. Stikkers, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy and Africana Studies
Spring Semester 2014; Wednesdays, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Description
What is the relationship between material wealth and human well-being? Does increased economic
wealth really make people happier? This course will demonstrate two central points. First, sound
economic thinking must be based upon sound understanding of what constitutes authentic human
well-being, fulfillment, or excellence--what the ancient Greeks termed “eudaimonia.” As Aristotle put it,
“Economics attends more to persons than to the acquisition of inanimate things, and to human
excellence (arête) than to the excellence of property which we call wealth” (Politics I, 13).
Second, a healthy economy requires justice: as Adam Smith put it, “Justice … is the main pillar that
upholds the whole edifice [of society and economy]. If it is removed, the great, the immense
fabric of human society . . . must in a moment crumble into atoms" (Theory of Moral Sentiments,
II, ii, 3.4).
In demonstrating these two points, the course aims to identify some of the root causes for the current
economic crises: contemporary economic thinking lacks adequate understanding of human well-being
and pays too little attention to matters of social justice. Such failures are evident in the present and
growing inequality of wealth distribution in America.
The course will achieve the above aims by
a) examining how economics was rooted in ethics in ancient and medieval thought, especially in the
works of Plato, Aristotle, and Thomas Aquinas;
b) demonstrating how the theory of capitalism grew out of moral philosophy and how economic justice
was central to Adam Smith's theory; and
c) examine concerns by present-day economists about human happiness and economic inequality.
The course will be conducted as a seminar, and as such students are required to participate regularly in
discussion of the texts and issues under consideration.
This course provides a rare opportunity for SIUC Honors students to study economics as both a social
science and as a branch of moral philosophy. It will provide insights into economy, drawing from the
instructor’s distinct research and scholarly expertise in the philosophy of economics, that are especially
useful in understanding today’s economy, stimulating students to think about the problems facing that
economy in creative ways and about actions they, as democratic citizens, can take in addressing those
problems.
Learning Objectives
As a result of this course, the students will:
a) understand how economic thinking grew historically out of moral philosophy;
b) be familiar with the economic theories of ancient and medieval thinkers insofar as they are the
precursors to modern economic thought;
c) understand the theory of capitalism as an outgrowth of moral philosophy and as a theory of economic
justice;
d) give considerate, informed thought to the relationship between economic wealth and human well-being
and to what the proper measurement of economic well-being might entail;
e) be able to articulate clearly and to provide rational arguments in support of their own understandings
of the role of justice in healthy economy and their visions for a more just economy; and
f) formulate practical actions that they can take, as democratic citizens, to implement their visions.
Requirements. In order to achieve the above objective, students must meet the following requirements.
1. Reading. Students are expected to read carefully and to discuss knowledgeably and thoughtfully
assigned readings from the following required texts, available in the University bookstore:
R. H. Tawney, Religion and the Rise of Capitalism;
Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism;
Adam Smith, The Essential Adam Smith, ed. Robert Heilbroner;
Carol Graham, Happiness Around the World: The Paradox of Happy Peasants and Miserable
Millionaires; and
Joseph E. Stiglitz, The Price of Inequality.
Recommended for purchase is: Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers.
There will also be several readings, both required and recommended, electronically available.
2. Class Attendance, Preparation, and Participation. Students are expected to attend class regularly, to
be prepared each class to discuss the reading assignments and issues before the class, and to participate
regularly in seminar discussion, and they may be called upon by the instructor. Each student is allowed
one absence, for whatever reason, without penalty. Each absence afterwards will result in a penalty to
the student’s final grade, and a fourth absence will result in a failure grade for the course. Students will
be evaluated on the quality of their contributions to class discussion.
3. Seminar Papers. As part of their preparation for class, all students will bring to each class a two-page
discussion of the assigned reading, following instructions from the instructor. Late assignments will be
accepted but will be penalized.
4. Take-Home Examinations. There will be take-home mid-term and final examinations. The
examinations will ask students to present and argue for their own positions with respect to the main issues
of the course. The instructor will provide additional instructions.
Evaluation. Students’ final grades will be calculated in the following approximate manner:
a) seminar attendance and participation, 30%; b) Seminar papers, 50%; and c) take-home final
examination, 20%.
Contacting the Instructor
Office hours: after class;
Thursdays, 1:00-3:30, p.m.;
Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; and
by appointment.
Office:
Faner 3022
Telephone:
536-6641
E-mail:
kstikker@siu.edu
Mailbox:
Leave messages and papers with Department of Philosophy staff in Faner 3065.
Tentative Calendar (subject to change). Students are expected to complete assignments by the dates
indicated without reminders from the instructor.
1 Jan. 15 - Introduction: Economics Wealth, Human Well-Bein, and Justice
2 Jan. 22 - Ancient Economies
Reading: Stikkers, “Economies of Scarcity and Acquisition, Economies of Gift and Thanksgiving:
Lessons from Cultural Anthropology,” in Value and Values: Economics and Justice in
an Age of Global Interdependence
Xenophon, Oeconomicus, I & II
Plato, Republic, Bk. I, http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.html
Mon., Jan. 27, 11:30 a.m. - Extra-credit opportunity: Sylvia Puente, Executive Director of the
Latino Policy Forum, will present “Fuerza Latina: A Paradox of Success and
Hardship,” Student Center ballrooms (sponsored by the Paul Simon Public Policy
Institute). RSVP for lunch to Carol Greenlee, Institute Project Coordinator, at
618/453-4078 or cgreenlee@siu.edu by Jan. 23. Visit paulsimoninstitute.org for
more information.
3 Jan. 29 - Ancient and Medieval Views of Wealth
Reading: Aristotle, Politics, Bk. I, Chs. 8-11, Bk. II, Chs. 1-5,
http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/politics.html
Stikkers, “What’s an Economy Good for?”--On the Relevance of Aristotle for 21st Century
Economics,” Southwest Philosophy Review
Tawney, Ch. 1
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles, Bk. III, Ques. XXX,
http://www.josephkenny.joyeurs.com/CDtexts/ContraGentiles3a.htm#30, &
CXXXIII, http://www.josephkenny.joyeurs.com/CDtexts/ContraGentiles3b.htm#133
4 Feb. 5 - Stewardship, Enclosure, and the Land Question
Reading: Aquinas, Summa Theologia, 2nd Part of 2nd Part, Question 61, Art. 1,
http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3061.htm, and Question 66, Art. 1, 2, & 7,
http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3066.htm
Tawney, pp. 135-52
Thomas More, Utopia, Bk. I, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/thomasmore-utopia.asp
Gerrard Winstanley, et al., “A Declaration from the Poor Oppressed People of England”
(electronic reserve)
Recommended: Heilbroner, Worldly Philosophers, Chs. I & II
Larry Patriquin, “The Agrarian Origins of the Industrial Revolution in England,” Review
of Radical Political Economics 36, No. 2 (Spring 2004): 196-216.
5 Feb. 12 - 2 Theories of Property
Reading: John Locke, Second Treatise of Government, Ch. V, “Of Property,”
http://www.constitution.org/jl/2ndtr05.htm
David Hume, “Of Justice,” An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (1777), Sec.
III, Pts. I & II, http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/4320
6 Feb. 19 - The Spirit of Capitalism: Max Weber
Reading: Weber, Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, “Introduction,” and Chs. I-IVA
Recommended: Weber, Chs. IVB-D
7 Feb. 26 - The Spirit of Capitalism
Reading: Weber, Ch. V
Stikkers, “The Spirit of Capitalism and the Caribbean Slave Trade,” The Pluralist
(forthcoming)
8 Mar. 5 - Adam Smith
Reading: Smith, History of Astronomy, in Essential Adam Smith, pp. 31 (“Philosophy is the science
….”)-36; Theory of Moral Sentiments, Pt. I, Sec. I, Chs. I-II, Sec. III, Chs. II-III, Pt. II,
Sec. I, Chs. IV-V, Sec. II, Ch. I-III, Sec. III, Ch. III, Pt. IV, Ch. I, & Part VI,
“Conclusion,” in Essential Adam Smith, pp. 65-69, 78-100, 118-23, 145-47; and
Wealth of Nations, “Introduction and Plan of the Work,” Book I, Ch. I-VII, , in
Essential Adam Smith, pp. 159-94
Mar. 12 - No classes--Spring Break.
9 Mar. 19 - Smith
Reading: Smith, Wealth of Nations, Book I, Ch. VIII- X, Pt. II, Ch. XI, Conclusion, Bk. IV, Chs.
I-II, VIII-IX, Bk. V, Ch. I, Pt. II, Pt. III, Art. II, in Essential Adam Smith, pp. 194-211,
217-19, 225-27, 259-67, 283 (last para.)-90, 293-97, 302-05
Recommended: Heilbroner, Worldly Philosophers, Ch. III
10 Mar. 26 - Utilitarianism and the Marginalists
Reading: to be determined
11 Apr. 2 - Happiness
Reading: Graham, “Introduction” and Chs. 1-4
12 Apr. 9 - Happiness
Reading: Graham, Chs. 5-8
13 Apr. 16 - Inequality
Reading: Stiglitz, Chs. One through Four
14 Apr. 23 Reading: Stiglitz, Chs. Five through Eight
15 Apr. 30 - Summary and Conclusion
Reading: Stiglitz, Chs. Nine & Ten
Tues., May 6, 5:50-7:50 p.m. - This is the time our course is assigned for a final examination. There is
no in-class final examination--only the take-home--but please reserve this time, in case
some class needs to be made up.
Thurs., May 8, 4:00 p.m. - Take-home final examination due. Deliver to instructor’s mailbox, inside
Faner 3065.