A capitalist morality: How capitalism is influencing our ethics (for the worse)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This article critically examines the relationship between capitalism and morality, asserting that capitalism is inherently immoral due to its reliance on exploitation and systemic harm. Utilising social harm theory and drawing on various academics, the paper argues that the elite mould morality to serve their interests, namely upholding class domination, by presenting inequality and poverty as products of individual moral failure as opposed to systemic exploitation. The paper further critiques the mechanisms which perpetuate these moral frameworks, focusing on the role of the law and the media in obscuring the mass harm caused by the bourgeoisie. The article ultimately contends that under capitalism, morality is strategically manipulated to maintain the status quo, stifle collective justice, and encourage individualism, resulting in widespread social harm.
Source: University of Essex
DOI: 10.5526/esj.346
Author: Safiyyah Esat
Institution: University of Essex
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6912768212
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