In this lecture, we explore the fascinating essay written by the eminent American Anthropologist Marshall Sahlins, “The Original Affluent Society.” (A version of the text can be found here.) By exploring Sahlins arguments in favour of a “primitive” economic confidence, we also go some way to resolving the problem left outstanding in the previous lecture regarding the so-called “Sapient Paradox.” Sahlins essay forms the first chapter to his more general study, Stone Age Economics.

Works referenced in the lecture include J.K. Galbraith, The Affluent Society; Vaclav Smil, Energy and Civilization; and John Rawls, A Theory of Justice. For a good historical overview of Proto Indo-European, see David Anthony, The Horse, the Wheel, and Language: How Bronze-Age Riders from the Eurasian Steppes Shaped the Modern World.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rolfstromolsen.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rolfstromolsen.substack.com