The Passions and the Interests
THE PASSIONS AND THE INTERESTS – ALBERT O. HIRSCHMAN
As you can see, my segment of the presentation is divided into four parts.
In the introduction I will attempt to re-emphasize a few key issues already mentioned by some of my fellow presenters. I will then consider how Hirschman continues to discuss the rise of capitalism in terms of what he coins: reflections on an episode of intellectual history.
The next step will be to view some of the key names mentioned in the third part of the text. These writers include the likes of Adam Ferguson and Alexis de Tocqueville. What are easily identifiable are a respect for the historical figures that preceded them and also a respect for the magnitude of their vision. On the other hand, a gradual divergence into the realms of new ideas can be seen, fuelled in turn by the realities of capitalism.
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I will conclude by considering Hirschman’s reflection on contemporary capitalism and hopefully you will appreciate the fact that, although we cannot resolve the issues relating to the ideological rise of capitalism, we can indeed raise the level of debate on the matter.
Here are some key considerations mentioned earlier in the book.
First off is a question. Is capitalism ethically acceptable? From the past we can observe a drastic moral shift in which the activities of merchants no longer became considered as sinful. We can instantly connect this to the work of Elias and the civilization process. As Elias points out, people started to control their impulses. Another assumption by Elias is that the civilization process is by no means linear and thus may be reversed. According to Hobbes, humans cannot be left to their own devices because in this setting, mans passions will become unbalanced. A de-civilizing process may occur and with it, a sense of social detachment. As Hirschman demonstrates through the work of other key writers, the assumptions of Elias are true, in
As you can see, my segment of the presentation is divided into four parts.
In the introduction I will attempt to re-emphasize a few key issues already mentioned by some of my fellow presenters. I will then consider how Hirschman continues to discuss the rise of capitalism in terms of what he coins: reflections on an episode of intellectual history.
The next step will be to view some of the key names mentioned in the third part of the text. These writers include the likes of Adam Ferguson and Alexis de Tocqueville. What are easily identifiable are a respect for the historical figures that preceded them and also a respect for the magnitude of their vision. On the other hand, a gradual divergence into the realms of new ideas can be seen, fuelled in turn by the realities of capitalism.
-------------------------------------------------
I will conclude by considering Hirschman’s reflection on contemporary capitalism and hopefully you will appreciate the fact that, although we cannot resolve the issues relating to the ideological rise of capitalism, we can indeed raise the level of debate on the matter.
Here are some key considerations mentioned earlier in the book.
First off is a question. Is capitalism ethically acceptable? From the past we can observe a drastic moral shift in which the activities of merchants no longer became considered as sinful. We can instantly connect this to the work of Elias and the civilization process. As Elias points out, people started to control their impulses. Another assumption by Elias is that the civilization process is by no means linear and thus may be reversed. According to Hobbes, humans cannot be left to their own devices because in this setting, mans passions will become unbalanced. A de-civilizing process may occur and with it, a sense of social detachment. As Hirschman demonstrates through the work of other key writers, the assumptions of Elias are true, in