A judicious but familiar collection of positions on capitalism and Marxism.
An economics book reconsiders capitalism in light of the theoretical failings of Marxism.
According to Calbay, while Marxism has been thoroughly “defeated in practice,” it remains attractive to many on theoretical grounds. Furthermore, the author contends that the defense of capitalism has been largely advanced using unacceptable subjective grounds. Calbay’s mission is twofold: to furnish a theoretical repudiation of Marxism and to articulate “a consistent, logical, and simple” account of capitalism, what he calls a “general theory of capitalism.” The author asserts that a core problem with Marxism is the labor theory of value, the idea that labor is a commodity that the worker sells. Calbay rejects this theory, claiming that in capitalism, labor cannot be sold since it violates the worker’s freedom, a linchpin of capitalist systems. Moreover, the problem of surplus value is solved as well—only the creation of capital can generate surplus, an excess of which is expressed as profit. In short, private property rights and individual freedom are the signature hallmarks of capitalism, not the brute existence of private property, markets, or merchants. The author’s critique of Marxism and his defense of capitalism are sensible, offering many pertinent points. But neither appraisal is philosophically searching or new; in fact, the arguments are all quite familiar. Moreover, his presentation is almost entirely at a level of such generality that much of it is vague. Calbay seems aware of this, announcing that “we will consider the mechanism in its most general form. The gears and the composition of the lubricant are not our priority although, of course, in ordinary life, their condition is even more important than knowing how the mechanism works as a whole.” Unfortunately, his writing style—turgid and sometimes confusing—diminishes his arguments. As he warns, this is an “anti-Marxist treatise.” Unfortunately, it is an uneven work of theoretical analysis.
A judicious but familiar collection of positions on capitalism and Marxism.Pub Date: Sept. 20, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73759-692-9
Page Count: 197
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Oct. 5, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Striking research showing the immense complexity of ordinary thought and revealing the identities of the gatekeepers in our...
A psychologist and Nobel Prize winner summarizes and synthesizes the recent decades of research on intuition and systematic thinking.
The author of several scholarly texts, Kahneman (Emeritus Psychology and Public Affairs/Princeton Univ.) now offers general readers not just the findings of psychological research but also a better understanding of how research questions arise and how scholars systematically frame and answer them. He begins with the distinction between System 1 and System 2 mental operations, the former referring to quick, automatic thought, the latter to more effortful, overt thinking. We rely heavily, writes, on System 1, resorting to the higher-energy System 2 only when we need or want to. Kahneman continually refers to System 2 as “lazy”: We don’t want to think rigorously about something. The author then explores the nuances of our two-system minds, showing how they perform in various situations. Psychological experiments have repeatedly revealed that our intuitions are generally wrong, that our assessments are based on biases and that our System 1 hates doubt and despises ambiguity. Kahneman largely avoids jargon; when he does use some (“heuristics,” for example), he argues that such terms really ought to join our everyday vocabulary. He reviews many fundamental concepts in psychology and statistics (regression to the mean, the narrative fallacy, the optimistic bias), showing how they relate to his overall concerns about how we think and why we make the decisions that we do. Some of the later chapters (dealing with risk-taking and statistics and probabilities) are denser than others (some readers may resent such demands on System 2!), but the passages that deal with the economic and political implications of the research are gripping.
Striking research showing the immense complexity of ordinary thought and revealing the identities of the gatekeepers in our minds.Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-374-27563-1
Page Count: 512
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: Sept. 3, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
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Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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