The joys of capitalism
From Stanford University's
The Stanford Review:
�Moral Foundations of Capitalism� class canceled
As the United States dipped into recession after the stock market crash in the late 2000s, capitalism was under intense scrutiny. As concern and criticism of the economic structure rose, part-time History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) professor John McCaskey mulled over the idea of teaching a course on capitalism.
�I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to get students to explore how Americans have historically defended the morality of capitalism,� said McCaskey in an interview with The Stanford Review.
In 2009, after presenting the idea to his colleagues, McCaskey began teaching the course, sponsored by the Ethics in Society (EiS) program. In the seminar, named �Moral Foundations of Capitalism,� students explored and evaluated historical arguments for the free-market model, particularly those which emerged in the 20th century. The seminar primarily covered the arguments of economists such as Milton Friedman, of Protestant and Catholic religious defenders, and of Objectivists.
Aaaand...
�There was a huge demand for the class � with students sitting on the floor outside, trying to get in,� said a junior, (who wishes to remain anonymous), who took the class in Winter 2012.
While there was steady interest for the course throughout the three years the class was offered, the type of students that it attracted varied. According to McCaskey, the class was largely made up of competing conservative students in the first year, largely because two students�one Catholic and one Ayn Rand Objectivist�extensively promoted the course before registration. By the third year, however, the class was much more balanced. �The class attracted all sorts of students, right and left wing,� said the junior. �Some objectivists, a couple of libertarians, a member of Stanford Democrats, and even two Marxists.�
�The class was still disproportionately conservative compared to the campus demographic,� said McCaskey, �but it was a good mix with strong opinions. It was just as much an intellectual challenge to be conservative in the class as it was to be liberal.�
And more:
Despite strong demand, the class was discontinued after three years due to a restructuring of Stanford�s general education requirements (GERs). Beginning next year, one of the new requirements will be �Ethical Reasoning.�
And more:
In light of its reception at Stanford, Professor McCaskey was invited to teach the course at Brown University.
Ironic really given that Leland Stanford was the Promethean capitalist's Capitalist. Dare I even say that he was a Robber Baron. That his money is funding this bastion of fuzzy reasoning probably has him spinning in his grave at a few tens of thousands RPM.
And if Stanford University cannot recognize the worth of Professor McCaskey, it is good that Brown University does.
Posted by DaveH at March 24, 2013 8:40 PM