The Philosophy of Money | Paul V. Azzopardi
Advertisement
The Philosophy of Money
What is money—and why do we believe it has value? Money is so familiar that we rarely stop to question it. Yet behind every coin, banknote and digital balance lies a remarkable web of ideas about trust, values, power, freedom, debt and human behaviour.
This discussion will explore the philosophy of money: what makes something valuable, why societies accept money in exchange for goods and human labour, and how money shapes our relationships, our choices and the societies in which we live.
Is money merely a tool—or does it change the way we see the world? Does wealth create freedom, or dependence? Why do we place our trust in pieces of paper, or numbers on a screen? And what happens when that trust begins to falter?
Perhaps the most intriguing question is what happens when money ceases to be merely a means of exchange and becomes an end in itself—something we pursue, worship and measure our lives by.
Join us on a journey that will take us beneath the surface of money—to challenge what we take for granted, reconsider our ideas of wealth and value, and explore one of the most powerful forces shaping human society. You may never look at money in quite the same way again.
About the Speaker:
Paul V. Azzopardi has spent most of his professional life in the world of money, working as an accountant, stockbroker, investment manager and banker in Malta and Toronto. Over the years, however, his practical experience of finance led him to a deeper curiosity about the nature and purpose of money itself—particularly the intriguing question of what a world without money might look like, and whether such a world is even possible.
His interest in the subject was sparked by Georg Simmel’s The Philosophy of Money, and it has remained a fascination ever since. Paul is the author of four published books on investment, financial markets and fiction, and has also published academic papers and articles on finance. He has lectured at the University of Malta and the University of Toronto, served on the boards of Bank of Valletta plc and its subsidiaries, and was involved in the establishment of the Malta Development Bank, where he subsequently served as Chief Executive Officer.
What is money—and why do we believe it has value? Money is so familiar that we rarely stop to question it. Yet behind every coin, banknote and digital balance lies a remarkable web of ideas about trust, values, power, freedom, debt and human behaviour.
This discussion will explore the philosophy of money: what makes something valuable, why societies accept money in exchange for goods and human labour, and how money shapes our relationships, our choices and the societies in which we live.
Is money merely a tool—or does it change the way we see the world? Does wealth create freedom, or dependence? Why do we place our trust in pieces of paper, or numbers on a screen? And what happens when that trust begins to falter?
Perhaps the most intriguing question is what happens when money ceases to be merely a means of exchange and becomes an end in itself—something we pursue, worship and measure our lives by.
Join us on a journey that will take us beneath the surface of money—to challenge what we take for granted, reconsider our ideas of wealth and value, and explore one of the most powerful forces shaping human society. You may never look at money in quite the same way again.
About the Speaker:
Paul V. Azzopardi has spent most of his professional life in the world of money, working as an accountant, stockbroker, investment manager and banker in Malta and Toronto. Over the years, however, his practical experience of finance led him to a deeper curiosity about the nature and purpose of money itself—particularly the intriguing question of what a world without money might look like, and whether such a world is even possible.
His interest in the subject was sparked by Georg Simmel’s The Philosophy of Money, and it has remained a fascination ever since. Paul is the author of four published books on investment, financial markets and fiction, and has also published academic papers and articles on finance. He has lectured at the University of Malta and the University of Toronto, served on the boards of Bank of Valletta plc and its subsidiaries, and was involved in the establishment of the Malta Development Bank, where he subsequently served as Chief Executive Officer.
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
Valletta Design Cluster, Bull Street,Valletta, Malta
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherPhilosophy Sharing Malta
