How the Dutch First Embraced Bourgeois Values

In this chapter, McCloskey delves deeper into Dutch society, illustrating that their understanding of virtue transcended the narrow perspective of prudence that dominates contemporary thought. She has touched on virtue ethics in previous discussions.

Our Misinterpretation of Historical Figures

Dr. McCloskey argues that today's historians often view the motivations of the Dutch bourgeoisie through a lens of prudence, reducing their actions to mere cost-benefit analyses. This perspective overlooks other motivating factors such as justice, love, and charity. The bourgeois society in Northern Europe was notable for its charitable acts, but some question whether these were genuine or merely performative.

McCloskey counters this skepticism, asserting that modern interpretations project their biases onto historical narratives. For instance, historian Anne McCants dismisses the idea that wealthy individuals contributed to social programs from a sense of compassion, labeling it as irrational. This view, rooted in a reductionist perspective, suggests that altruism is an illusion, with self-interest being the primary driver of charitable actions.

Yet, if this self-interest is indeed the only motivation, why did other regions lack similar welfare laws? McCloskey points out that during this era, London offered little support to the poor, while Scotland employed punitive measures against the unemployed. The Dutch commitment to charity was significant and cannot be easily classified as mere prudence or greed.

Who was Erasmus?

McCloskey also highlights the historical role of Erasmus in fostering a tolerant form of Protestantism in the Netherlands, contrasting with the stricter Calvinism seen in other European regions. She references Charles Wilson, who noted that the merchant class in the Dutch Republic played a crucial role in preserving intellectual freedom.

Interestingly, John Locke, whose ideas on limited self-governance influenced the founding of the United States, spent five years in Holland, where he absorbed the Erasmian values of liberty and thought that would later shape his writings.

The next chapter promises to explore how the Dutch embraced virtues beyond mere prudence, leading to a level of tolerance that, while imperfect by today's standards, was considerably more advanced than that of other contemporary societies.

This video titled "Early Capitalism and the Emergence of the Bourgeoisie" provides a comprehensive overview of how early economic systems and social classes evolved. It contextualizes the rise of the bourgeoisie within the broader framework of capitalism, allowing viewers to better understand the societal shifts that shaped this period.