Foundations for a humanitarian economy : re-thinking Boethius' Consolation of philosophy /

The modern global economy and discipline of economics place mathematical calculation above human concern. However a rereading of Boethius' The Consolation of Philosophy can positively highlight the contrast in values and spirit of the early medieval European world with our own scientific age. T...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Bishop, William D., 1945- (Author)
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: London ; New York : Routledge, [2022].
Series:Economics and humanities.
Subjects:
Description
Summary:The modern global economy and discipline of economics place mathematical calculation above human concern. However a rereading of Boethius' The Consolation of Philosophy can positively highlight the contrast in values and spirit of the early medieval European world with our own scientific age. This book discusses the historical and cultural contexts that influenced Boethius' writing and explores how Consolation offers a radically different understanding of economic concepts, wealth from inner happiness and virtues, poverty from hoarding outer possessions, self-sufficiency in the greater whole, enlightenment through misfortune and development as fruition from the Good. These economic considerations resonate with a range of heterodox economic perspectives, such as Ecological and Buddhist Economics. The fundamental revaluations gained through Boethius pose a critique of mainstream neoclassical and neoliberal economics, to consumerism, avarice, growth and technology fetishism and market rationality. These economic foundations resonate into a time when global crises raise the question of fundamental human priorities, offering alternatives to an ever-expanding industrial market economy designed for profit, and helping to avoid irrevocable socioecological disasters. The issues raised and questioned in this book will be of significant interest to readers with concern for pluralist approaches to economics, philosophy, classics, ancient history and theology.
Item Description:"Routledge Focus."
Physical Description:90 pages ; 23 cm.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:9781032127583
1032127589
9781032127620
1032127627