Philosophy. Study the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence.

This course examines the connection between money, debt and trust as the three foundations upon which human society is constructed. Join us as we explore the history of economic systems – as influenced by and also influencing – anthropology, human nature and religious social structures. For us to understand humanity, we must also understand how we secure and value things that we need and want.

We will start with David Graeber and his his ground-breaking book Debt: The First 5,000 Years (2011), arguing that debt/credit systems are the foundation of most modern social groups, relying on ethically agreed principles. Money, however, can break free of trust systems and become an object without any allegiance to a social group.

In the latter part of this course we will contemporise these concepts in relation to the present economic situation. We will explore topics such as Modern Monetary Theory, Bitcoin, post COVID-19 debt and social trust.

We will also discuss the concept ‘debt’ in the broader contexts in which it is used, for example: When we use phrases such as ‘paying your debt to society’, where did that idea come from, and do you really have such a debt?

Aims

This course aims to provide you an understanding of money, debt and trust as the foundations of human society.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• provide an overview of the origins and c