Idols of Nations: Biblical Myth at the Origins of Capitalism - Softcover

Roland Boer

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1451465440 ISBN 13: 9781451465440

Publisher: 1517 Media; Fortress Press, 2014

Synopsis

Roland Boer and Christina Petterson here produce a critical survey showing that the rise of capitalist theory was shaped by the way different economic philosophers Smith, Hobbes, Grotius, Malthus, Locke read the Bible. Invoking Jeremiah (14:22) and Adam Smith who took the title of his Wealth of Nations from Isaiah (61:6, 66:12) they show that early theories of capitalism were shaped by particular assumptions that these theorists brought to their readings of the story of Eden in particular. They examine those assumptions and evaluate what has changed in subsequent centuries. Idols of Nations shows that the Bible was central to the theorization and economic thought of these key thinkers as it explores the distinct problems each sought to overcome.

About this title

About the Author:

Roland Boer is Xin Ao Professor of Literature at Renmin University of China and Research Professor at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Christina Petterson is a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Newcastle, Australia

About this edition

• Publisher: 1517 Media; Fortress Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1451465440
• ISBN 13: 9781451465440
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208