Money and Soul

Many feel that money and what we perceive as the psyche (or soul) are bitter enemies—do we choose money or soul, finance or feelings, markets or common humanity? Money and Soul traces the origins of these opposing concepts, and the emotions that money provokes. Economic ideas often stand out as being universal, globally valid and without cultural ties. But when money is viewed in its cultural and philosophical context, it becomes evident that the money of today is a particular system of symbols—something that society itself has devised over many centuries—that both reflects and reinforces society’s dominant concerns.

In the twenty-first century, our major concerns include social cohesion, global warming, and environmental destruction. Per Espen Stoknes shows how new forms of money can be developed that will encourage us to act in ways that protect these critically important aspects of our world that are currently excluded from the money system. He shows how currencies for natural and social capital could work in tandem with the manufactured capital that defines our monetary system to the exclusion of all else.

Money and Soul opens up new methods of looking at, thinking about, and using money. It points to a future where our ideas about money will be greatly expanded; a future with different kinds of money—used for different social purposes—in circulation.

About the Author

Per Espen Stoknes

Per Espen Stoknes is an organizational psychologist, senior lecturer at BI Norwegian School of Management, and a partner in the Digital Thinking Network—an international think tank for future—scenario planning. Stoknes has worked both as a clinical therapist and as an advisor to major national and international organizations.

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