Chrematism is the science of enrichment. The economic teachings of Aristotle

Our society is undergoing significant socio-economic transformation. For such a time, reconsideration of ideas about the surrounding world and recourse to the sources are inherent. In the light of this, the appeal to Aristotle looks quite unsurprising. Moreover, economics and hrematics are two phenomena whose sources of confrontation date back to him precisely as an outstanding Ancient Greek thinker. In the article, we will consider what both concepts mean and how they interact.

Aristotle: Economics and Chrematism

Ancient Greek thinker shared the use of money to meet natural human needs and their accumulation as an end in themselves. Chrematism is, from his point of view, the worship of profit. Aristotle understood by this term the situation where money is losing its basic function of a means of exchange, but is becoming an end in itself. Chrematism is, for example, usury, as well as speculative trading. To both spheres of activity, Aristotle was negative. He believed that they are not natural and only exploit people.

Quite different in essence, as Aristotle saw it, the economy. Money, in his opinion, should be a means, not an end. They should facilitate trade. And usurious interest, on the contrary, complicates it, making money less accessible where they are needed. Therefore, hrematics as a science of enrichment for Aristotle looks like a perversion, another way of exploiting the rich poor.

The origins of the concept

Until the Great French Revolution, trade was considered quite reprehensible occupation. It is difficult to take this now, as modern history puts the entrepreneur at the center of the economy. But in the past, speculation was considered a sin, and all forms of exploitation were condemned by the church. In the Middle Ages traders despised. In order to survive, they formed professional alliances.

Aristotle believed that trade in goods by its nature is not chrematism. But only until such time as it applies to items that are necessary for sellers and buyers. With the expansion of barter trade, money appears. They facilitate and accelerate the exchange. However, with the invention of money, exchange trade inevitably turns into a commodity one. And this opens the possibility for a lot of speculation. A certain category of people begins to engage in chrematism. So Aristotle was the first to establish the difference between money as a means of circulation and accumulation, that is, capital.

The Economics of Aristotle

Aristotle was absolutely negative about the accumulation of money as a supertask. He considered usury and speculative trade in unnatural activities that dehumanize those who deal with them. Like his teacher Plato, Aristotle condemns the accumulation of money. The moneylenders, he believed, do not create anything, their wealth appears almost out of thin air. Therefore, such an occupation is reprehensible.

In the economy, trade must occur directly between the producer and the buyer at the right price. In this case, it does not create added value from nothing. The economic doctrine of Aristotle implies the creation of the benefits needed to meet human needs. Money is only a means of accelerating the exchange between producers and improving its quality.

Aristotle believed that real wealth consists of goods that satisfy natural needs. By its nature it can not be infinite. It is goods, not money, according to Aristotle, is the main characteristic of wealth.

In the Middle Age

During this period, chrematism is the prerogative of the church. For ordinary people, this activity was considered undesirable. However, capital can be accumulated if it goes to charity in the future. The Catholic Church supported this economic doctrine throughout the Middle Ages. This view of chrematism was shared by Thomas Aquinas.

Modern performance

As Aristotle wrote in his works, economics and hrematics are two sciences. However, in our time, the latter is considered only within the framework of the general theory. Concepts such as "capital", "rent" and "interest" are traditionally considered economic. Aristotle would hardly agree with such an interpretation. However, hrematy is an integral part of the modern capitalist way of doing business. Although Martin Luther opposed usurping and exploitation, however, in his study of Protestant ethics, Max Weber proves the key importance for the bourgeoisie of consumption and saving. The term "chrematism" Karl Marx uses to refer to capitalism.

The economic teachings of Aristotle

Among the basic postulates of Aristotle, we can distinguish the following:

• Slavery is a natural attribute of society. It should not touch or carry any threat to free citizens. It should be noted that at the time of Aristotle slaves were foreigners from the countries seized by the Greeks, which somewhat justifies the economic teachings of the thinker. Although to date they seem completely unacceptable.
• The need to strengthen the middle class due to the exploitation of the agrarian periphery and again of the slave-foreigners.
• Protection of private property. Aristotle saw its foundations even in the animal kingdom.
• The need to naturalize the economy and return to agriculture.
• The restriction of large-scale trade, the imposition of a ban on speculation and usury. Aristotle saw the basis of the economy in what we now call a small business. But only in his submission he necessarily assigns fair prices.

The ancient thinker tried to find a proportion that would allow us to explain the relationship between value and money. He believed that during the exchange the seller seeks to compensate for the loss of the thing he bought. The appearance of money Aristotle explains the inconvenience of transporting certain goods over long distances. However, gradually they outgrow the function of the means of exchange. The economy is replaced by hrematics. The situation has not changed for today. And it is hreematika that causes crises and financial "bubbles".