The Ethics of Capital and Interest

Today I am lecturing on the ethics of capital and interest at this year's Acton University. The course description says "Capital and interest are often viewed as morally suspect. This course will examine interest and capital from an ethical framework with a focus on its positive moral contributions to society."

In order to accomplish this objective, I must first explain the economic nature of capital and interest, demonstrating how each contribute to fulfilling the cultural mandate and human flourishing, not misery. I then examine and counter several ethical charges leveled at the private accumulation of capital and the paying of interest.

A fuller description of my lecture can be found in this post from last year.