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Paul Vigna, "The Almightier: How Money Became God, Greed Became Virtue, and Debt Became Sin" (St. Martin's Press, 2025)

New Books in Economics

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Greed and Society in Renaissance Florence

This chapter examines the complex relationship between greed and societal values in 14th and 15th century Florence, where Christian teachings criticized avarice while influential figures like the Medici began to endorse it for societal benefit. It traces the transformation of attitudes toward wealth and morality, particularly through the lens of Calvinism and the Protestant Reformation, which redefined financial success as a virtue. Additionally, the chapter highlights how these evolving perspectives contributed to the justification of slavery and shaped European exploration and economic systems.

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