volume 12, august 2012, no.

Study Conference The economic crisis: a critical calvinistic perspective on capitalism

On January 21st the associations annual study conference was held. The conference provided an opportunity for members to meet each other, share insights, sharpen thoughts and to experience the vitality of a thought-community. The main speaker in the morning session was Johan Graafland (Professor of Economics, Entrepreneurship and Ethics at the University of Tilburg). Johan spoke on The economic crisis: a critical calvinistic perspective on capitalism. Here then is a short summary of his lecture. The lecture began with an analysis of the causes of the credit crises. Professor Graafland identified the Anglo-Saxon model of capitalism as the background to the crisis. This model of capitalism has been built with the bricks of a neoliberal ideology supplied by Hayek and Friedman, the (anti-christian) philosophy of the novelist Ayn Rand (as in her Atlas Shrugged 1957) and the influence of Alan Greenspan. He delved into the relationship between Calvin and Capitalism and the Protestant ethic thesis of Max Weber. Graafland suggested that current historical research considers Webers thesis to be outdated. The focus of the Protestant ethic thesis is not so much Calvins thought but rather the Puritanism that claimed Calvin as its source. Although Calvins writings contributed to the legitimisation of capitalistic activity, Calvins principles set limits to economic development and therefore may provide us with a way to correct the distortions of neoliberal ideology. Graafland etched a number of Calvinistic ethical principles that work in favour of capitalism: economic justice, respect for private property, honesty, reciprocity and moderation. He also commented on some principles that can act as a correction to capitalism: charity/mercy, reciprocity and service to the community. Having developed his argument in these terms, Graafland took the next step and asked his listeners to consider the following question: what went wrong when these principles were abandoned? To Graafland the most important factors were: unjust bonuses, disrespect for private property, a lack of reciprocity, excessive risk taking and a lack of service to the community. His final conclusions were: - The credit crisis has made clear that modern capitalism insufficiently respects the moral principles from which it has developed and these were also a part of Calvins justification of economic activity; - Enlightened self-interest is an inadequate basis for economic life and falls short as the leading principle for capitalist activity. Would you like to read more on this subject? Please see Eerlijke economie by Roel Jongeneel for more on this subject.

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publications
Let us draw your attention to a couple of books that have recently been published by professors in our association. Let us draw your attention to a couple of books that have recently been published by professors in our association. Roel Jongeneel Eerlijke Economie (Honest Economy) (part of the Verantwoordings series) How can Calvins thought help us deal with the economic problems that confront us? Whereas Calvin is normally associated with strict principles and a strong work ethic, when studying his life and work the conclusion must be that Calvin is an advocate for a honest and just economy. This book offers a new and thorough analysis of Calvins significance and vision for socio-economic life. Publisher: Buijten & Schipperheijn ISBN : 9789058816702 Language: Dutch Price: 19,90 Availability: Directly from the publisher or via a membership of the Verantwoordings series which means a 20% discount on this and other publications in the series. Henk Jochemsen and Jan van der Stoep (eds) Different cultures, one world Our age of global technology is not only an age of promises, but also an age of major problems. We face an ecological crisis, a financial and economical crisis and a crisis in international security. At the same time religion has become a subject of public debate. Some scholars even speak of the return of religion. In his valedictory address at the Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR), Egbert Schuurman contended that the crises of our age are closely associated with scientific, technological and economic developments in the industrialized world. He proposed a dialogue between Muslim and Christian scholars on modern Western culture and in particular its technicistic character. This book is a response to Schuurmans call. It incorporates contributions from Muslim as well as Christian scholars. According to the authors the current crises of the technological society have a spiritual root. They claim that religious traditions incorporate basic intuitions about life on earth that are indispensable for working towards a more sustainable and peaceful co-existence of people. From this perspective they want to join hands and unitedly face the challenges of living together as different cultures in one world. Publisher: Price : Language: ISBN: Availability: Rozenberg 22,50 English 978 90 3610 177 6 www.rozenbergps.com

Submissions for Philosophia Reformata

Philosophia Reformata was founded in 1935. It is an academic journal that publishes articles on Christian philosophy. As a publication outlet, however, the journal is not restricted to members. We welcome submissions from all who are interested in contributing to Christian philosophical reflection.. Also book reviews are welcome. All submissions are peer reviewed. An annual volume consists of some 200 pages in two biannual issues. The journal is included in the Philosophers Index. In the past the journal has published articles about such topics as: - Placing technology in religious-philosophical perspective (2010) - Public justice and cultural diversity (2008) - Normative practices as an intermediate between theoretical ethics and morality (2006) - Human identity and reformational social philosophy (2004) - Reason and belief in God (2003) - The reducibility of mind states (2002). The journal has recently gone online and we would like to take this opportunity to invite colleagues worldwide to contribute. Check out our website at www.philosophia-reformata.org. Here you find detailed information about submission format and procedure. Would you like to become a subscriber to Philosophia Reformata? Philosophia Reformata is published twice a year and costs 55,Membership includes online access to our archive. Would you like to subscribe or become a member of the Association? Please contact info@philosophia-reformata.org.

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for sale
The Association for Reformational Philosophy is selling some unique books. If you are interested in one (or more) of these books please contact administratie@christelijkefilosofie.nl or call +31 33 43 28 288 (not on Wednesdays). Prices below do not include shipping costs. Wijsbegeerte der Wetsidee, Dr. H. Dooyeweerd 3 (fairly new) parts 1935 - H.J. Paris Amsterdam 80,Wijsbegeerte der Wetsidee Dr. H. Dooyeweerd deel II en III 1935 H.J. Paris Amsterdam 40,Reformatie en scholastiek in de wijsbegeerte Dr. H. Dooyeweerd deel I Het Grieksche voorspel 1949 T. Wever Franeker 30,Hoofdlijnen der logica Dr. D.H.Th van Vollenhoven 1948 J.H. Kok NV Kampen 15,Perspectie Onder redactie van o.a. W.K. van Dijk, J. Stellingwerff, Th. de Boer, J.D. Dengerink 1961 Uitgeversmaatschappij J.H. Kok NV Kampen 10,De crisis in de humanistische staatsleer (2x) in het licht eener calvinistische kosmologie en kennistheorie Dr. H. Dooyeweerd 1931 NV Boekhandel W. ten Have Amsterdam 30,Philosophy and Christianity Dr. H. Dooyeweerd 1965 Kok 25,Verkenningen in de wijsbegeerte, de sociologie en de rechtsgeschiedenis Dr. H. Dooyeweerd 1962 10,Aspects of Reformational Philosophy is the international information bulletin of the Foundation for Reformational Philosophy and the Association for Reformational Philosophy. The Association pursues philosophy in the light of the Bible as the Word of God. The Foundation aims to spread the fruits of this pursuit. Both do their work in the conviction that all philosophy is religiously determined. Aspects will be sent on request. The Board of the Association for Reformational Philosophy and the Foundation for Reformational Philosophy Drs. A. Berger, M.A., chairman Mrs. Drs. M.J.C. Oosterhuis-Blok, M.A., treasurer Prof. Dr. G.J. Buijs, board member Mrs I. Slump-Schoonhoven, students and international Mr. A. de Visser, M.A., education Mr. W. Vollbehr, MSc, secretary Mr. T.A.G. Zeldenrust, M.A., fund raising Curators of the foundation Prof. Dr. Ir. J. van Bemmel, Professor emeritus of the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, chairman Prof. dr. J.J. Graafland, Professor at the University of Tilburg Prof. Dr. S. Griffioen, Professor emeritus of the Free University of Amsterdam Prof. Dr. Ir. T.M. Klapwijk, Professor at the Technical University of Delft Prof. Dr. G. Nienhuis, Professor at the University of Leiden Professors of the foundation Prof. Dr. J. Hoogland, Professor at the University of Twente Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Jochemsen, Professor at the Agricultural University of Wageningen Prof. Dr. R. Kuiper, Professor at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam Mrs. Prof. Dr. R. van Riessen, Professor at the University of Leiden Prof. Dr. Ir. J. van der Stoep, Professor at the Protestant University of Ede Prof. Dr. M.J. Verkerk, Professor at the Technical University of Eindhoven and University of Maastricht Prof. Dr. M.J. de Vries, Professor at the Technical University of Delft Dr. R. Henderson, Professor at the SPICE-program in the Netherlands (Zwolle) Centre for Reformational Philosophy Mrs. H.C. de Graaf, publicity and relations management Mrs. A. Meyvoger, secretary Mrs. H.J. van de Streek, M.A., director Volunteers Mrs. Ir. I.M. de Graaf, employee library P. Post, translator F. Rickets, facility management Dr. P.C. Vijfhuizen, financial advisor B. de Vries, employee archive Dr. B. Wearne, English language janitor Address of the Centre for Reformational Philosophy Utrechtseweg 1A 3811 NA Amersfoort the Netherlands Mail address Post office box 2220 3800 CE Amersfoort Telephone: +31 33 43 28 288 Fax: +31 33 44 81 940 E-mail: info@christelijkefilosofie.nl Website: www.christelijkefilosofie.nl Bank account numbers ING: 120 95 98 ABN AMRO: 53 90 43 796 Design Bart van der Griendt, Mediahuis DTP Buijten & Schipperheijn, Amsterdam ISSN 1874-8309

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