Sociology

Spiritual Pragmatism and an Economics of Solidarity

Is conventional neo-classical or neo-liberal economics a damaging form of false consciousness?

Is conventional neo-classical or neo-liberal economics a damaging form of false consciousness?

Author

John Clammer, Professor of Sociology, Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.

Summary

One of the most persistent dualisms that have bedeviled thought and analysis for a very long time has been that of the material and the spiritual. One of the many effects of this has been to assign economics to the realm of the material, and of course religion to the realm of the spiritual.

But in fact, the slightest acquaintance with economics shows that it is the social science that most enshrines values. Seen in this light, conventional neo-classical or neo-liberal economics is a profound and immensely damaging form of false consciousness.

This chapter strives to transform this by cultivating dialogues with spiritual pragmatism and economics of solidarity.

Published in: Pragmatism, Spirituality and Society. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore, pp. 135-145.

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