Liberal Arts for Advanced Students II

We all live and die in capitalist society. Capitalism seems like such an inescapable part of reality that we cannot imagine any other society. It weighs on us as if it were fate itself. Study hard, get into a good school, and land a decent job. Work hard. Make a lot of money. Even if you can't make a lot, at least make enough to buy things and support your family like the average Joe. If you can't, you are a loser. You’re responsible for your conditions. If you can't take responsibility, you deserve to be eliminated from society. Such dog-eat-dog worldview has been ingrained in us from an early age through media, education, and family. We may hear fine-sounding sentiments like “don't pick on the weak," “helping others is important," and “all people are equal.” But it is obvious from the daily news that these are nothing but lies. If you have money, you are treated well and given a free pass; if you don't, you are ridiculed and exploited. This is what Shakespeare said about the power of money:

Thus much of this will make black white, foul fair,
Wrong right, base noble, old young, coward valiant.

Capitalist society is driven by money, which has the overwhelming power to turn reality upside down. In this class, we will trace the origins, structure, and future of this strange society through various movies and readings. Why do economic crashes and depressions, which shake the world economy, occur? How do poor children and elderly live? What does the value of labor-power mean and what is class struggle? By discussing such concrete social issues in depth, we will explore the possibility of society that can replace capitalism.