Limitarianism and Capitalism

Explore the philosophical concept of limitarianism through this 50-minute lecture that examines whether moral limits on personal wealth can coexist with capitalist economic systems. Delve into the central question of whether it is immoral to possess wealth above a certain threshold and analyze how extreme wealth concentration affects democratic institutions and social equality. Examine real-world examples including billionaire political influence, climate inequality data from 2025 global reports, and the role of media ownership in shaping public discourse. Investigate the philosophical foundations of libertarianism and its relationship to wealth accumulation, while critically assessing arguments about merit, luck, and the justification of extreme wealth. Learn how wealth concentration undermines democratic processes through political donations, media control, and social platform influence. Analyze case studies of billionaire power in politics and examine the intersection of wealth inequality with climate justice. Consider the practical implications of implementing wealth caps within existing capitalist frameworks and evaluate different forms of capitalism that might accommodate limitarianist principles. Gain insights into contemporary political philosophy and applied ethics as they relate to institutional design and socio-economic systems, with particular attention to non-ideal theory and interdisciplinary approaches to normative frameworks.