PHIL20044 The Ethics of Capitalism
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- No final exam: all coursework
- About 3 class hours a week
Is PHIL20044 hard?
PHIL20044: About average. Makes it easier: No final exam. No student reviews yet — based on the Handbook only.
What you learn
What capitalism is and whether it is just, from Adam Smith and Mill to its modern critics.
After it you can
- Explain classic defences of capitalism
- Assess moral criticisms of markets
- Argue a view on capitalism and justice
What you need first
None
How it’s assessed
Reports and essays 100%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 7 students on StudentVIP (2018–2025)
- Most reviewers (2018-2020) loved it: entertaining lectures that tie philosophy to real-world political economy, with readings that overlap the lectures.
- Assessments were called well designed, and it suits politics students too. Critics found it repetitive after the opening weeks (2020) and centred on liberal thinkers, with no lecture recordings in 2025.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate PHIL20044
Quick answers
- When is PHIL20044 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking PHIL20044?
- No prerequisites.
- Does PHIL20044 have a final exam?
- No, there is no final exam. Assessment: Reports and essays 100%.
- Is PHIL20044 hard?
- From 7 student reviews on StudentVIP: Most reviewers (2018-2020) loved it: entertaining lectures that tie philosophy to real-world political economy, with readings that overlap the lectures.
- What do students say about PHIL20044?
- Most reviewers (2018-2020) loved it: entertaining lectures that tie philosophy to real-world political economy, with readings that overlap the lectures. Assessments were called well designed, and it suits politics students too. Critics found it repetitive after the opening weeks (2020) and centred on liberal thinkers, with no lecture recordings in 2025.
- How many class hours a week does PHIL20044 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take PHIL20044 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science.
- Can I rate PHIL20044?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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