logo_moneymuseum

Courses

back

The nature of Money - an interdisciplinary exploration

The aim of this curriculum is to cast the knowledge about the nature of money into a systematic curriculum that takes philosophical, economic, sociological and psychological dimensions into account. An interdisciplinary approach is taken in order to shed light on the various facets of money and to encourage learners to reflect more deeply on this central but elusive phenomenon.

von

The question of what money is seems trivial at first glance. We all deal with money on a daily basis, whether it is buying goods, paying bills or accumulating savings. Money seems so self-evident that many never question it. However, modern economics has so far failed to provide a generally accepted definition of money. This raises fundamental questions: Why is it so difficult to define money? What is the difficulty in grasping the essence of money? And what implications does this have for our understanding of the economy and society?


This exhibition aims to distill our understanding of the nature of money into a systematic curriculum that takes into account philosophical, economic, sociological and psychological dimensions. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach to shed light on the various facets of money and to encourage learners to reflect more deeply on this central but elusive phenomenon.

1. Fundamental questions about money and capitalism

  • What exactly is money, and why does it have so much power in modern society?
  • Why can't money simply be replaced by another system of exchange?
  • How did capitalism come about and what role does money play in it?
  • Why does capitalism often lead to inequality, and is this inevitable?
  • What is the difference between earlier forms of trade and our modern monetary system?

 

2. Questions on historical development 

  • Why did the modern monetary system develop first in Europe and not in Asia or other regions that were technologically more advanced?
  • How did the transition from a feudal to a capitalist system change people's everyday lives?
  • What role did colonialism play in the spread of the modern monetary system?
  • Would it have been possible for the global economy to develop differently without relying on money as the dominant medium of exchange?

 

3.  Questions on the social and ethical dimension

  • Why does money create a system in which some people are rich and others poor? Is this inevitable?
  • Are there alternative economic systems that are fairer but work without money?
  • To what extent does the current monetary system lead to social injustice and ecological problems?
  • Why can't everyone win under capitalism? Is a fair capitalism even possible?

 

4. Questions about how money works

  • How is money actually created and why does it have value?
  • What happens when money is created "out of nothing", e.g. through loans or central banks?
  • Why does money have to constantly grow and become more in order to function?
  • What role do speculation and financial markets play in today's monetary system?

 

5. Questions about the future of money and the economy 

  • Could the world ever function without money, and if so, how?
  • What does the future of capitalism and money look like? Will there be alternatives?
  • What lessons can we learn from previous financial crises for the future?
  • Are there any current movements or ideas that seek to change or replace the existing monetary system?

 

Signet Sunflower Foundation