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I'm not sure that's quite true. The very first sentence from the wikipedia article on Capitalism[1]: > Capitalism is an economic system based on the private o

I'm not sure that's quite true. The very first sentence from the wikipedia article on Capitalism[1]: > Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. I do agree however, that capitalism and free markets are so often confused (much like "I could care less" and "I couldn't care less") that there may well be no point trying to distinguish the two in ordinary discourse. Perhaps we need a new word to represent what "capitalism" was supposed to mean? 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism

KirinDave 8y ago
Maybe, but I think existing literature has solved this by using qualifying adjectives like "Anarcho-" and "State" and "Mixed". It might be easier to lean on those. I think it's pretty important to make these distinctions because it helps us rise above the level of modern discourse that instantly maps political opposition to, you know, any given Nazi principle. Folks looking to destroy debate and scholarship to make their point hate being required to take concrete positions, because the hallmark of bad faith arguments is changing positions quickly without being noticed to avoid every having to directly challenge a factual argument.
golemotron 8y ago
That's different from what you said. You said that capitalism is an a opinion about what should be rather than a description of what is. > Capitalism is the opinion that capital owners should have total and singular control of business.
- KirinDave 8y ago
  Are you suggesting that Capitalism as a philosophy is objective in some sense that say, monarchism or socialism are not? Of course it is an articulation of an opinion about what should be. There are disagreeing opinions about "what should be."
  - golemotron 8y ago
    It a concept, not an opinion. Most Kings get tired of being monarchs, for what it's worth. But, no matter whether they think it's the right way of doing things, they are kind of stuck with it.
    - KirinDave 8y ago
      Your first part? Okay, sure. I'm referring to the notion of capitalists in abstract, not capitalism outside of minds (which doesn't exist). So: my sincere apologies for not being precise there. It didn't damage any point I was making and I seriously doubt this is what you were objecting to originally, but I'll offer the apology all the same. The second part... What? Why? Since when? And no, they're not. Obviously not. I'm confused why you'd say this, why you'd think this and why you'd think OF it in this context.
- frutiger 8y ago
  > That's different from what you said. Please have the politeness to check who you are replying to. > You said that capitalism is an a opinion about what should be rather than a description of what is. I think you are splitting hairs; of course capitalism doesn't have an opinion, it's not a person with subjective ideas. I doubt that's what KirinDave means anyway.

KirinDave 8y ago

Maybe, but I think existing literature has solved this by using qualifying adjectives like "Anarcho-" and "State" and "Mixed". It might be easier to lean on those. I think it's pretty important to make these distinctions because it helps us rise above the level of modern discourse that instantly maps political opposition to, you know, any given Nazi principle. Folks looking to destroy debate and scholarship to make their point hate being required to take concrete positions, because the hallmark of bad faith arguments is changing positions quickly without being noticed to avoid every having to directly challenge a factual argument.

golemotron 8y ago

That's different from what you said. You said that capitalism is an a opinion about what should be rather than a description of what is. > Capitalism is the opinion that capital owners should have total and singular control of business.

KirinDave 8y ago
Are you suggesting that Capitalism as a philosophy is objective in some sense that say, monarchism or socialism are not? Of course it is an articulation of an opinion about what should be. There are disagreeing opinions about "what should be."
- golemotron 8y ago
  It a concept, not an opinion. Most Kings get tired of being monarchs, for what it's worth. But, no matter whether they think it's the right way of doing things, they are kind of stuck with it.
  - KirinDave 8y ago
    Your first part? Okay, sure. I'm referring to the notion of capitalists in abstract, not capitalism outside of minds (which doesn't exist). So: my sincere apologies for not being precise there. It didn't damage any point I was making and I seriously doubt this is what you were objecting to originally, but I'll offer the apology all the same. The second part... What? Why? Since when? And no, they're not. Obviously not. I'm confused why you'd say this, why you'd think this and why you'd think OF it in this context.
frutiger 8y ago
> That's different from what you said. Please have the politeness to check who you are replying to. > You said that capitalism is an a opinion about what should be rather than a description of what is. I think you are splitting hairs; of course capitalism doesn't have an opinion, it's not a person with subjective ideas. I doubt that's what KirinDave means anyway.