,*APT] #d 
,CRUELTY & ,R$EMPTION 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,DAVID ,GRAEB] 

,TEXT 3 

,CRUELTY & ,R$EMPTION 

  
  

,WE WILL BUY ! POOR = SILV]1 ! NE$Y = A PAIR ( S&ALS4  
  
  

--,AMOS #b3#f  
  

,! READ] MAY HAVE NOTIC$ ?AT !RE IS AN UNRESOLV$ DEBATE BETWE5 ?OSE :O SEE MONEY AS A COMMODITY & ?OSE :O SEE IT AS AN ,I,\4 ,:I* ONE IS IT8 ,BY N[1 ! ANSW] %\LD BE OBVI\S3 IT'S BO?4 ,KEI? ,H>T1 PROBABLY ! BE/-KN[N CURR5T AN?ROPOLOGICAL AU?ORITY ON ! SUBJECT1 PO9T$ ?IS \T MANY YE>S AGO4 ,!RE >E1 HE FAM\SLY OBS]V$1 TWO SIDES TO ANY CO93 

,LOOK AT A CO9 FROM Y\R POCKET4 ,ON ONE SIDE IS 0HEADS0--! SYMBOL ( ! POLITICAL AU?ORITY :I* M9T$ ! CO92 ON ! O!R SIDE IS 0TAILS0--! PRECISE SPECIFICATION ( ! AM\NT ! CO9 IS WOR? AS PAYM5T 9 EX*ANGE4 ,ONE SIDE REM9DS US ?AT /ATES UND]WRITE CURR5CIES & ! MONEY IS ORIG9ALLY A RELATION BETWE5 P]SONS 9 SOCIETY1 A TOK5 P]HAPS4 ,! O!R REVEALS ! CO9 AS A ?+1 CAPABLE ( 5T]+ 9TO DEF9ITE RELATIONS ) O!R ?+S4.<#a#a#f.> 

,CLE>LY1 MONEY WAS NOT 9V5T$ TO OV]COME ! 9CONV5I5CES ( B>T] BETWE5 NEI<BORS--S9CE NEI<BORS W\LD HAVE NO REASON TO 5GAGE 9 B>T] 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 ,/ILL1 A SY/EM ( PURE CR$IT MONEY W\LD HAVE S]I\S 9CONV5I5CES AS WELL4 ,CR$IT MONEY IS BAS$ ON TRU/1 & 9 COMPETITIVE M>KETS1 TRU/ ITSELF BECOMES A SC>CE COMMODITY4 ,?IS IS P>TICUL>LY TRUE ( DEAL+S BETWE5 /RANG]S4 ,)9 ! ,ROMAN EMPIRE1 A SILV] CO9 /AMP$ ) ! IMAGE ( ,TIB]IUS MI<T HAVE CIRCULAT$ AT A VALUE CONSID]ABLY HI<] ?AN ! VALUE ( ! SILV] IT CONTA9$4 ,ANCI5T CO9S 9V>IABLY CIRCULAT$ AT A VALUE HI<] ?AN !IR METAL CONT5T4.<#a#a#g.> ,?IS WAS L>GELY BECAUSE ,TIB]IUS'S GOV]NM5T WAS WILL+ TO ACCEPT !M AT FACE VALUE4 ,H[EV]1 ! ,P]SIAN GOV]NM5T PROBABLY WASN'T1 & ! ,MAURYAN & ,*9ESE GOV]NM5TS C]TA9LY W]5'T4 ,V]Y L>GE NUMB]S ( ,ROMAN GOLD & SILV] CO9S DID 5D UP 9 ,9DIA & EV5 ,*9A2 ?IS IS PRESUMABLY ! MA9 REASON ?AT !Y W]E MADE ( GOLD & SILV] TO BEG9 )4 

,:AT'S TRUE = A VA/ EMPIRE LIKE ,ROME OR ,*9A IS OBVI\SLY ALL ! MORE TRUE = A ,SUM]IAN OR ,GREEK CITY-/ATE1 LET ALONE ANYONE OP]AT+ )9 ! K9D ( BROK5 *ECK]BO>D ( K+DOMS1 T[NS1 & T9Y PR9CIPALITIES ?AT PREVAIL$ 9 MO/ ( ,M$IEVAL ,EUROPE OR ,9DIA4 ,AS ,I'VE PO9T$ \T1 (T5 :AT WAS 9SIDE & :AT WAS \TSIDE W]E NOT ESPECIALLY CLE>4 ,)9 A COMMUNITY--A T[N1 A CITY1 A GUILD OR RELIGI\S SOCIETY--PRETTY MU* ANY?+ C\LD FUNCTION AS MONEY1 PROVID$ EV]YONE KNEW !RE WAS SOMEONE WILL+ TO ACCEPT IT TO CANCEL \T A DEBT4 ,TO (F] ONE P>TICUL>LY /RIK+ EXAMPLE1 9 C]TA9 CITIES 9 N9ETE5?-C5TURY ,SIAM1 SMALL *ANGE CONSI/$ 5TIRELY ( PORCELA9 ,*9ESE GAM+ C\NT]S--BASICALLY1 ! EQUIVAL5T ( POK] *IPS--ISSU$ BY LOCAL CAS9OS4 ,IF ONE ( !SE CAS9OS W5T \T ( BUS9ESS OR LO/ ITS LIC5SE1 ITS [N]S W\LD HAVE TO S5D A CRI] ?R\< ! /REETS BANG+ A GONG & ANN\NC+ ?AT ANYONE HOLD+ SU* *ITS HAD ?REE DAYS TO R$EEM !M4.<#a#a#h.> ,= MAJOR TRANSACTIONS1 ( C\RSE1 CURR5CY ?AT WAS ALSO ACCEPTABLE \TSIDE ! COMMUNITY 7USUALLY SILV] OR GOLD AGA97 WAS ORD9>ILY EMPLOY$4 

,9 A SIMIL> WAY1 ,5GLI% %OPS1 = MANY C5TURIES1 W\LD ISSUE !IR [N WOOD OR LEAD OR LEA!R TOK5 MONEY4 ,! PRACTICE WAS (T5 TE*NICALLY ILLEGAL1 BUT IT CONT9U$ UNTIL RELATIVELY REC5T TIMES4 ,H]E IS AN EXAMPLE FROM ! SEV5TE5? C5TURY1 BY A C]TA9 ,H5RY1 :O HAD A /ORE AT ,/ONY ,/RAT=D1 ,BUCK+HAM%IRE3 

,?IS IS CLE>LY A CASE ( ! SAME PR9CIPLE3 ,H5RY W\LD PROVIDE SMALL *ANGE 9 ! =M ( ,I,\S R$EEMABLE AT HIS [N /ORE4 ,AS SU*1 !Y MI<T CIRCULATE BROADLY1 AT LEA/ AMONG ANYONE :O DID REGUL> BUS9ESS AT ?AT %OP4 ,BUT !Y W]E UNLIKELY TO TRAVEL V]Y F> FROM ,/ONY ,/RAT=D--MO/ TOK5S1 9 FACT1 NEV] CIRCULAT$ MORE ?AN A FEW BLOCKS 9 ANY DIRECTION4 ,= L>G] TRANSACTIONS1 EV]YONE1 9CLUD+ ,H5RY1 EXPECT$ MONEY 9 A =M ?AT W\LD BE ACCEPTABLE ANY:]E1 9CLUD+ 9 ,ITALY OR ,FRANCE4.<#a#a#i.> 

,?R\<\T MO/ ( HI/ORY1 EV5 :]E WE DO F9D ELABORATE M>KETS1 WE ALSO F9D A COMPLEX JUMBLE ( DIFF]5T SORTS ( CURR5CY4 ,SOME ( !SE MAY HAVE ORIG9ALLY EM]G$ FROM B>T] BETWE5 =EIGN]S3 ! CACAO MONEY ( ,MESOAM]ICA OR SALT MONEY ( ,E?IOPIA >E FREQU5TLY CIT$ EXAMPLES4.<#a#b.> ,O!RS >OSE FROM CR$IT SY/EMS1 OR FROM >GUM5TS OV] :AT SORT ( GOODS %\LD BE ACCEPTABLE TO PAY TAXES OR O!R DEBTS4 ,SU* QUE/IONS W]E (T5 MATT]S ( 5DLESS CONTE/ATION4 ,ONE C\LD (T5 LE>N A LOT AB\T ! BALANCE ( POLITICAL =CES 9 A GIV5 TIME & PLACE BY :AT SORTS ( ?+S W]E ACCEPTABLE AS CURR5CY4 ,= 9/ANCE3 9 MU* ! SAME WAY ?AT COLONIAL ,VIRG9IA PLANT]S MANAG$ TO PASS A LAW OBLIG+ %OPKEEP]S TO ACCEPT !IR TOBACCO AS CURR5CY1 M$IEVAL ,POM]ANIAN PEASANTS APPE> TO HAVE AT C]TA9 PO9TS CONV9C$ !IR RUL]S TO MAKE TAXES1 FEES1 & CU/OMS DUTIES1 :I* W]E REGI/]$ 9 ,ROMAN CURR5CY1 ACTUALLY PAYABLE 9 W9E1 *EESE1 PEPP]S1 *ICK5S1 EGGS1 & EV5 H]R+--MU* TO ! ANNOYANCE ( TRAVEL+ M]*ANTS1 :O !RE=E HAD TO EI!R C>RY SU* ?+S >\ND 9 ORD] TO PAY ! TOLLS OR BUY !M LOCALLY AT PRICES ?AT W\LD HAVE BE5 MORE ADVANTAGE\S TO !IR SUPPLI]S = ?AT V]Y REASON4.<#a#b#a.> ,?IS WAS 9 AN >EA ) A FREE PEASANTRY1 RA!R ?AN S]FS4 ,!Y W]E 9 A RELATIVELY /RONG POLITICAL POSITION4 ,9 O!R TIMES & PLACES1 ! 9T]E/S ( LORDS & M]*ANTS PREVAIL$ 9/EAD4 

,?US MONEY IS ALMO/ ALWAYS SOME?+ HOV]+ BETWE5 A COMMODITY & A DEBT-TOK54 ,?IS IS PROBABLY :Y CO9S--PIECES ( SILV] OR GOLD ?AT >E ALREADY VALUABLE COMMODITIES 9 !MSELVES1 BUT ?AT1 BE+ /AMP$ ) ! EMBLEM ( A LOCAL POLITICAL AU?ORITY1 BECAME EV5 MORE VALUABLE--/ILL SIT 9 \R HEADS AS ! QU9TESS5TIAL =M ( MONEY4 ,!Y MO/ P]FECTLY /RADDLE ! DIVIDE ?AT DEF9ES :AT MONEY IS 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 ,:AT'S MORE1 ! RELATION BETWE5 ! TWO WAS A MATT] ( CON/ANT POLITICAL CONTE/ATION4 

,9 O!R WORDS1 ! BATTLE BETWE5 /ATE & M>KET1 BETWE5 GOV]NM5TS & M]*ANTS IS NOT 9H]5T TO ! HUMAN CONDITION4 

,\R TWO ORIG9 /ORIES--! MY? ( B>T] & ! MY? ( PRIMORDIAL DEBT--MAY APPE> TO BE AB\T AS F> AP>T AS !Y C\LD BE1 BUT 9 !IR [N WAY1 !Y >E ALSO TWO SIDES ( ! SAME CO94 ,ONE ASSUMES ! O!R4 ,IT'S ONLY ONCE WE CAN IMAG9E HUMAN LIFE AS A S]IES ( COMM]CIAL TRANSACTIONS ?AT WE'RE CAPABLE ( SEE+ \R RELATION TO ! UNIV]SE 9 T]MS ( DEBT4 

,TO ILLU/RATE1 LET ME CALL A P]HAPS SURPRIS+ WITNESS1 ,FRI$RI* ,NIETZS*E1 A MAN ABLE TO SEE ) UNCOMMON CL>ITY :AT HAPP5S :5 Y\ TRY TO IMAG9E ! WORLD 9 COMM]CIAL T]MS4 

,NIETZS*E'S ,ON ! ,G5EALOGY ( ,MORALS APPE>$ 9 #a#h#h#g4 ,9 IT1 HE BEG9S ) AN >GUM5T ?AT MI<T WELL HAVE BE5 TAK5 DIRECTLY FROM ,ADAM ,SMI?--BUT HE TAKES IT A /EP FUR!R ?AN ,SMI? EV] D>$ TO1 9SI/+ ?AT NOT JU/ B>T]1 BUT BUY+ & SELL+ ITSELF1 PREC$E ANY O!R =M ( HUMAN RELATION%IP4 ,! FEEL+ ( P]SONAL OBLIGATION1 HE OBS]VES1 

HAS ITS ORIG9 9 ! OLDE/ & MO/ PRIMITIVE P]SONAL RELATION%IP !RE IS1 9 ! RELATION%IP BETWE5 SELL] & BUY]1 CR$ITOR & DEBTOR4 ,H]E = ! FIR/ TIME ONE P]SON MOV$ UP AGA9/ ANO!R P]SON1 H]E AN 9DIVIDUAL MEASUR$ HIMSELF AGA9/ ANO!R 9DIVIDUAL4 ,WE HAVE F\ND NO CIVILIZATION /ILL AT SU* A L[ LEVEL ?AT SOME?+ ( ?IS RELATION%IP IS NOT ALREADY P]CEPTIBLE4 ,TO SET PRICES1 TO MEASURE VALUES1 TO ?9K UP EQUIVAL5CIES1 TO EX*ANGE ?+S--?AT PREOCCUPI$ MAN'S V]Y FIR/ ?9K+ TO SU* A DEGREE ?AT 9 A C]TA9 S5SE IT'S :AT ?9K+ ITSELF IS4 ,H]E ! OLDE/ =M ( A/UT5ESS WAS BR$2 H]E1 TOO1 WE CAN ASSUME >E ! FIR/ BEG9N+S ( MAN'S PRIDE1 HIS FEEL+ ( PREEM95CE 9 RELATION TO O!R ANIMALS4 ,P]HAPS \R WORD 0MAN0 7MANAS7 CONT9UES TO EXPRESS DIRECTLY SOME?+ ( ?IS FEEL+ ( ! SELF3 ! HUMAN BE+ DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS A BE+ :I* ASSESSES VALUES1 :I* VALUES & MEASURES1 AS ! 09H]5TLY CALCULAT+ ANIMAL40 ,SELL+ & BUY+1 TOGE!R ) !IR PSY*OLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES1 >E EV5 OLD] ?AN ! BEG9N+S ( ANY =M ( SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS & GR\P+S2 \T ( ! MO/ RUDIM5T>Y =M ( P]SONAL LEGAL RI<TS ! BUDD+ FEEL+ ( EX*ANGE1 CONTRACT1 GUILT1 LAW1 DUTY1 & COMP5SATION WAS 9/EAD FIR/ TRANSF]R$ TO ! CRUDE/ & E>LIE/ SOCIAL /RUCTURES 79 !IR RELATION%IPS ) SIMIL> SOCIAL /RUCTURES71 ALONG ) ! HABIT ( COMP>+ P[] ) P[]1 ( MEASUR+1 ( CALCULAT+4.<#a#b#b.> 

,SMI?1 TOO1 WE WILL REMEMB]1 SAW ! ORIG9S ( LANGUAGE--& H5CE ( HUMAN ?\<T--AS LY+ 9 \R PROP5SITY TO 0EX*ANGE ONE ?+ = ANO!R10 9 :I* HE ALSO SAW ! ORIG9S ( ! M>KET4.<#a#b#c.> ,! URGE TO TRADE1 TO COMP>E VALUES1 IS ! V]Y ?+ ?AT MAKES US 9TELLIG5T BE+S1 & DIFF]5T FROM O!R ANIMALS4 ,SOCIETY COMES LAT]--:I* MEANS \R IDEAS AB\T RESPONSIBILITIES TO O!R PEOPLE FIR/ TAKE %APE 9 /RICTLY COMM]CIAL T]MS4 

,UNLIKE ) ,SMI?1 H[EV]1 IT NEV] OCCURR$ TO ,NIETZS*E ?AT Y\ C\LD HAVE A WORLD :]E ALL SU* TRANSACTIONS IMM$IATELY CANCEL \T4 ,ANY SY/EM ( COMM]CIAL ACC\NT+1 HE ASSUM$1 WILL PRODUCE CR$ITORS & DEBTORS4 ,9 FACT1 HE BELIEV$ ?AT IT WAS FROM ?IS V]Y FACT ?AT HUMAN MORALITY EM]G$4 ,NOTE1 HE SAYS1 H[ ! ,G]MAN WORD S*ULD MEANS BO? 0DEBT0 & 0GUILT40 ,AT FIR/1 TO BE 9 DEBT WAS SIMPLY TO BE GUILTY1 & CR$ITORS DELI<T$ 9 PUNI%+ DEBTORS UNABLE TO REPAY !IR LOANS BY 9FLICT+ 0ALL SORTS ( HUMILIATION & TORTURE ON ! BODY ( ! DEBTOR1 = 9/ANCE1 CUTT+ AS MU* FLE% (F AS SEEM$ APPROPRIATE = ! DEBT40.<#a#b#d.> ,9 FACT1 ,NIETZS*E W5T SO F> AS TO 9SI/ ?AT ?OSE ORIG9AL B>B>IAN LAW CODES ?AT TABULAT$ SO MU* = A RU9$ EYE1 SO MU* = A SEV]$ F+]1 W]E NOT ORIG9ALLY MEANT TO FIX RATES ( MONET>Y COMP5SATION = ! LOSS ( EYES & F+]S1 BUT TO E/ABLI% H[ MU* ( ! DEBTOR'S BODY CR$ITORS W]E ALL[$ TO TAKE6 ,NE$LESS TO SAY1 HE DOESN'T PROVIDE A SC9TILLA ( EVID5CE = ?IS 7NONE EXI/S74.<#a#b#e.> ,BUT TO ASK = EVID5CE W\LD BE TO MISS ! PO9T4 ,WE >E DEAL+ H]E NOT ) A REAL HI/ORICAL >GUM5T BUT ) A PURELY IMAG9ATIVE EX]CISE4 

,:5 HUMANS DID BEG9 TO =M COMMUNITIES1 ,NIETZS*E CONT9UES1 !Y NECESS>ILY BEGAN TO IMAG9E !IR RELATION%IP TO ! COMMUNITY 9 !SE T]MS4 ,! TRIBE PROVIDES !M ) PEACE & SECURITY4 ,!Y >E !RE=E 9 ITS DEBT4 ,OBEY+ ITS LAWS IS A WAY ( PAY+ IT BACK 70PAY+ Y\R DEBT TO SOCIETY0 AGA974 ,BUT ?IS DEBT1 HE SAYS1 IS ALSO PAID--H]E TOO--9 SACRIFICE3 

,)9 ! ORIG9AL TRIBAL COOP]ATIVES--WE'RE TALK+ AB\T PRIMEVAL TIMES--! LIV+ G5]ATION ALWAYS ACKN[L$G$ A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO ! PREVI\S G5]ATIONS1 & ESPECIALLY TO ! E>LIE/ ONE :I* HAD F\ND$ ! TRIBE .<444.> ,H]E ! REIGN+ CONVICTION IS ?AT ! TRIBE ONLY EXI/S AT ALL ONLY BECAUSE ( ! SACRIFICES & A*IEVEM5TS ( ITS ANCE/ORS--& ?AT PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY !M BACK ) SACRIFICES & A*IEVEM5TS4 ,9 ?IS PEOPLE RECOGNIZE A DEBT :I* KEEPS /EADILY GR[+ BECAUSE !SE ANCE/ORS 9 !IR CONT9U+ EXI/5CE AS P[]FUL SPIRITS DO NOT /OP GIV+ ! TRIBE NEW ADVANTAGES & L5D+ !M !IR P[]4 ,DO !Y DO ?IS = FREE8 ,BUT !RE IS NO 0= FREE0 = ?OSE RAW & 0SPIRITUALLY DE/ITUTE0 AGES4 ,:AT CAN PEOPLE GIVE BACK TO !M8 ,SACRIFICES 7AT FIR/ AS N\RI%M5T UND]/OOD V]Y CRUDELY71 FE/IVALS1 *APELS1 SIGNS ( HONOR1 ABOVE ALL1 OB$I5CE--= ALL CU/OMS1 AS WORK ( ONE'S ANCE/ORS1 >E ALSO !IR /ATUTES & COMM&S4 ,DO PEOPLE EV] GIVE !M 5\<8 ,?IS SUSPICION REMA9S & GR[S4.<#a#b#f.> 

,9 O!R WORDS1 = ,NIETZS*E1 />T+ FROM ,ADAM ,SMI?'S ASSUMPTIONS AB\T HUMAN NATURE MEANS WE MU/ NECESS>ILY 5D UP ) SOME?+ V]Y MU* ALONG ! L9ES ( PRIMORDIAL-DEBT !ORY4 ,ON ! ONE H&1 IT IS BECAUSE ( \R FEEL+ ( DEBT TO ! ANCE/ORS ?AT WE OBEY ! ANCE/RAL LAWS3 ?IS IS :Y WE FEEL ?AT ! COMMUNITY HAS ! RI<T TO REACT 0LIKE AN ANGRY CR$ITOR0 & PUNI% US = \R TRANSGRESSIONS IF WE BREAK !M4 ,9 A L>G] S5SE1 WE DEVELOP A CREEP+ FEEL+ ?AT WE C\LD NEV] REALLY PAY BACK ! ANCE/ORS1 ?AT NO SACRIFICE 7NOT EV5 ! SACRIFICE ( \R FIR/-BORN7 WILL EV] TRULY R$EEM US4 ,WE >E T]RIFI$ ( ! ANCE/ORS1 & ! /RONG] & MORE P[]FUL A COMMUNITY BECOMES1 ! MORE P[]FUL !Y SEEM TO BE1 UNTIL F9ALLY1 0! ANCE/OR IS NECESS>ILY TRANSFIGUR$ 9TO A GOD40 ,AS COMMUNITIES GR[ 9TO K+DOMS & K+DOMS 9TO UNIV]SAL EMPIRES1 ! GODS !MSELVES COME TO SEEM MORE UNIV]SAL1 !Y TAKE ON GR&]1 MORE COSMIC PRET5TIONS1 RUL+ ! HEAV5S1 CA/+ ?UND]BOLTS--CULM9AT+ 9 ! ,*RI/IAN GOD1 :O1 AS ! MAXIMAL DEITY1 NECESS>ILY 0BR\<T AB\T ! MAXIMUM FEEL+ ( 9DEBT$NESS ON E>?40 ,EV5 \R ANCE/OR ,ADAM IS NO LONG] FIGUR$ AS A CR$ITOR1 BUT AS A TRANSGRESSOR1 & !RE=E A DEBTOR1 :O PASSES ON TO US HIS BURD5 ( ,ORIG9AL ,S93 

,F9ALLY1 ) ! IMPOSSIBILITY ( DIS*>G+ ! DEBT1 PEOPLE ALSO COME UP ) ! NOTION ?AT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE ! P5ANCE1 ! IDEA ?AT IT CANNOT BE PAID (F 70ET]NAL PUNI%M5T07 444 UNTIL ALL ( A SUDD5 WE CONFRONT ! P>ADOXICAL & HORRIFY+ EXP$I5T ) :I* A M>TYR$ HUMANITY F\ND TEMPOR>Y RELIEF1 ?AT /ROKE ( G5IUS ( ,*RI/IANITY3 ,GOD SACRIFIC+ HIMSELF = ! GUILT ( HUMAN BE+S1 ,GOD PAY+ HIMSELF BACK ) HIMSELF1 ,GOD AS ! ONLY ONE :O CAN R$EEM MAN FROM :AT = HUMAN BE+S HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO R$EEM--! CR$ITOR SACRIFIC+ HIMSELF = ! DEBTOR1 \T ( LOVE 7CAN PEOPLE BELIEVE ?AT871 \T ( LOVE = HIS DEBTOR6.<#a#b#g.> 

,IT ALL MAKES P]FECT S5SE IF Y\ />T FROM ,NIETZS*E'S 9ITIAL PREMISE4 ,! PROBLEM IS ?AT ! PREMISE IS 9SANE4 

,!RE IS ALSO EV]Y REASON TO BELIEVE ?AT ,NIETZS*E KNEW ! PREMISE WAS 9SANE2 9 FACT1 ?AT ?IS WAS ! 5TIRE PO9T4 ,:AT ,NIETZS*E IS DO+ H]E IS />T+ \T FROM ! /&>D1 COMMON-S5SE ASSUMPTIONS AB\T ! NATURE ( HUMAN BE+S PREVAL5T 9 HIS DAY 7& TO A L>GE EXT5T1 /ILL PREVAL5T7--?AT WE >E RATIONAL CALCULAT+ MA*9ES1 ?AT COMM]CIAL SELF-9T]E/ COMES BE=E SOCIETY1 ?AT 0SOCIETY0 ITSELF IS JU/ A WAY ( PUTT+ A K9D ( TEMPOR>Y LID ON ! RESULT+ CONFLICT4 ,?AT IS1 HE IS />T+ \T FROM ORD9>Y B\RGEOIS ASSUMPTIONS & DRIV+ !M TO A PLACE :]E !Y CAN ONLY %OCK A B\RGEOIS AUDI5CE4 

,IT'S A WOR?Y GAME & NO ONE HAS EV] PLAY$ IT BETT]2 BUT IT'S A GAME PLAY$ 5TIRELY )9 ! B\ND>IES ( B\RGEOIS ?\<T4 ,IT HAS NO?+ TO SAY TO ANY?+ ?AT LIES BEYOND ?AT4 ,! BE/ RESPONSE TO ANYONE :O WANTS TO TAKE S]I\SLY ,NIETZS*E'S FANTASIES AB\T SAVAGE HUNT]S *OPP+ PIECES (F EA* O!R'S BODIES = FAILURE TO REMIT >E ! WORDS ( AN ACTUAL HUNT]-GA!R]--AN ,9UIT FROM ,GRE5L& MADE FAM\S 9 ! ,DANI% WRIT] ,PET] ,FREU*5'S ,BOOK ( ! ,ESKIMO4 ,FREU*5 TELLS H[ ONE DAY1 AFT] COM+ HOME HUNGRY FROM AN UNSUCCESSFUL WALRUS-HUNT+ EXP$ITION1 HE F\ND ONE ( ! SUCCESSFUL HUNT]S DROPP+ (F SEV]AL HUNDR$ P\NDS ( MEAT4 ,HE ?ANK$ HIM PR(USELY4 ,! MAN OBJECT$ 9DIGNANTLY3 

0,UP 9 \R C\NTRY WE >E HUMAN60 SAID ! HUNT]4 0,& S9CE WE >E HUMAN WE HELP EA* O!R4 ,WE DON'T LIKE TO HE> ANYBODY SAY ?ANKS = ?AT4 ,:AT ,I GET TODAY Y\ MAY GET TOMORR[4 ,UP H]E WE SAY ?AT BY GIFTS ONE MAKES SLAVES & BY :IPS ONE MAKES DOGS40.<#a#b#h.> 

,! LA/ L9E IS SOME?+ ( AN AN?ROPOLOGICAL CLASSIC1 & SIMIL> /ATEM5TS AB\T ! REFUSAL TO CALCULATE CR$ITS & DEBITS CAN BE F\ND ?R\< ! AN?ROPOLOGICAL LIT]ATURE ON EGALIT>IAN HUNT+ SOCIETIES4 ,RA!R ?AN SEE+ HIMSELF AS HUMAN BECAUSE HE C\LD MAKE ECONOMIC CALCULATIONS1 ! HUNT] 9SI/$ ?AT BE+ TRULY HUMAN MEANT REFUS+ TO MAKE SU* CALCULATIONS1 REFUS+ TO MEASURE OR REMEMB] :O HAD GIV5 :AT TO :OM1 = ! PRECISE REASON ?AT DO+ SO W\LD 9EVITABLY CREATE A WORLD :]E WE BEGAN 0COMP>+ P[] ) P[]1 MEASUR+1 CALCULAT+0 & R$UC+ EA* O!R TO SLAVES OR DOGS ?R\< DEBT4 

,IT'S NOT ?AT HE1 LIKE UNTOLD MILLIONS ( SIMIL> EGALIT>IAN SPIRITS ?R\<\T HI/ORY1 WAS UNAW>E ?AT HUMANS HAVE A PROP5SITY TO CALCULATE4 ,IF HE WASN'T AW>E ( IT1 HE C\LD NOT HAVE SAID :AT HE DID4 ,( C\RSE WE HAVE A PROP5SITY TO CALCULATE4 ,WE HAVE ALL SORTS ( PROP5SITIES4 ,9 ANY REAL-LIFE SITUATION1 WE HAVE PROP5SITIES ?AT DRIVE US 9 SEV]AL DIFF]5T CONTRADICTORY DIRECTIONS SIMULTANE\SLY4 ,NO ONE IS MORE REAL ?AN ANY O!R4 ,! REAL QUE/ION IS :I* WE TAKE AS ! F\NDATION ( \R HUMANITY1 & !RE=E1 MAKE ! BASIS ( \R CIVILIZATION4 ,IF ,NIETZS*E'S ANALYSIS ( DEBT IS HELPFUL TO US1 !N1 IT IS BECAUSE IT REVEALS ?AT :5 WE />T FROM ! ASSUMPTION ?AT HUMAN ?\<T IS ESS5TIALLY A MATT] ( COMM]CIAL CALCULATION1 ?AT BUY+ & SELL+ >E ! BASIS ( HUMAN SOCIETY--!N1 YES1 ONCE WE BEG9 TO ?9K AB\T \R RELATION%IP ) ! COSMOS1 WE WILL NECESS>ILY CONCEIVE ( IT 9 T]MS ( DEBT4 

,I DO ?9K ,NIETZS*E HELPS US 9 ANO!R WAY AS WELL3 TO UND]/& ! CONCEPT ( R$EMPTION4 ,NIEZS*E'S ACC\NT ( 0PRIMEVAL TIMES0 MI<T BE ABSURD1 BUT HIS DESCRIPTION ( ,*RI/IANITY--( H[ A S5SE ( DEBT IS TRANS=M$ 9TO AN ABID+ S5SE ( GUILT1 & GUILT TO SELF-LOA?+1 & SELF-LOA?+ TO SELF-TORTURE--ALL ( ?IS DOES R+ V]Y TRUE4 

,:Y1 = 9/ANCE1 DO WE REF] TO ,*RI/ AS ! 0R$EEM]08 ,! PRIM>Y MEAN+ ( 0R$EMPTION0 IS TO BUY SOME?+ BACK1 OR TO RECOV] SOME?+ ?AT HAD BE5 GIV5 UP 9 SECURITY = A LOAN2 TO ACQUIRE SOME?+ BY PAY+ (F A DEBT4 ,IT IS RA!R /RIK+ TO ?9K ?AT ! V]Y CORE ( ! ,*RI/IAN MESSAGE1 SALVATION ITSELF1 ! SACRIFICE ( ,GOD'S [N SON TO RESCUE HUMANITY FROM ET]NAL DAMNATION1 %\LD BE FRAM$ 9 ! LANGUAGE ( A F9ANCIAL TRANSACTION4 

,NIETZS*E MI<T HAVE BE5 />T+ FROM ! SAME ASSUMPTIONS AS ,ADAM ,SMI?1 BUT CLE>LY ! E>LY ,*RI/IANS W]5'T4 ,! ROOTS ( ?IS ?9K+ LIE DEEP] ?AN ,SMI?'S ) HIS NATION ( %OPKEEP]S4 ,! AU?ORS ( ! ,BRAHMANAS W]E NOT ALONE 9 BORR[+ ! LANGUAGE ( ! M>KETPLACE AS A WAY ( ?9K+ AB\T ! HUMAN CONDITION4 ,9DE$1 TO ONE DEGREE OR ANO!R1 ALL ! MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS DO ?IS4 

,! REASON IS ?AT ALL ( !M--FROM ,ZOROA/RIANISM TO ,ISLAM-->OSE AMID 9T5SE >GUM5TS AB\T ! ROLE ( MONEY & ! M>KET 9 HUMAN LIFE1 & P>TICUL>LY AB\T :AT !SE 9/ITUTIONS MEANT = FUNDAM5TAL QUE/IONS ( :AT HUMAN BE+S [$ TO ONE ANO!R4 ,! QUE/ION ( DEBT1 & >GUM5TS AB\T DEBT1 RAN ?R\< EV]Y ASPECT ( ! POLITICAL LIFE ( ! TIME4 ,!SE >GUM5TS W]E SET AMID REVOLTS1 PETITIONS1 RE=MI/ MOVEM5TS4 ,SOME SU* MOVEM5TS GA9$ ALLIES 9 ! TEMPLES & PALACES4 ,O!RS W]E BRUTALLY SUPPRESS$4 ,MO/ ( ! T]MS1 SLOGANS1 & SPECIFIC ISSUES BE+ DEBAT$1 ?\<1 HAVE BE5 LO/ TO HI/ORY4 ,WE JU/ DON'T KN[ :AT A POLITICAL DEBATE 9 A ,SYRIAN TAV]N 9 #ge BC WAS LIKELY TO BE AB\T4 ,AS A RESULT1 WE HAVE SP5T ?\S&S ( YE>S CONTEMPLAT+ SACR$ TEXTS FULL ( POLITICAL ALLUSIONS ?AT W\LD HAVE BE5 9/ANTLY RECOGNIZABLE TO ANY READ] AT ! TIME :5 !Y W]E WRITT51 BUT :OSE MEAN+ WE N[ CAN ONLY GUESS AT4.<#a#b#i.> 

,ONE ( ! UNUSUAL ?+S AB\T ! ,BIBLE IS ?AT IT PRES]VES SOME BITS ( ?IS L>G] CONTEXT4 ,TO RETURN TO ! NOTION ( R$EMPTION3 ! ,HEBREW WORDS PADAH & GOAL1 BO? TRANSLAT$ AS 0R$EMPTION10 C\LD BE US$ = BUY+ BACK ANY?+ ONE HAD SOLD TO SOMEONE ELSE1 P>TICUL>LY ! RECOV]Y ( ANCE/RAL L&1 OR TO RECOV]+ SOME OBJECT HELD BY CR$ITORS 9 WAY ( A PL$GE4.<#a#c.> ,! EXAMPLE =EMO/ 9 ! M9DS ( PROPHETS & !OLOGIANS SEEMS TO HAVE BE5 ! LA/3 ! R$EMPTION ( PL$GES1 & ESPECIALLY1 ( FAMILY MEMB]S HELD AS DEBT-PAWNS4 ,IT W\LD SEEM ?AT ! ECONOMY ( ! ,HEBREW K+DOMS1 BY ! TIME ( ! PROPHETS1 WAS ALREADY BEG9N+ TO DEVELOP ! SAME K9D ( DEBT CRISES ?AT HAD LONG BE5 COMMON 9 ,MESOPOTAMIA3 ESPECIALLY 9 YE>S ( BAD H>VE/S1 ! POOR BECAME 9DEBT$ TO RI* NEI<BORS OR TO WEAL?Y MONEYL5D]S 9 ! T[NS1 !Y W\LD BEG9 TO LOSE TITLE TO !IR FIELDS & TO BECOME T5ANTS ON :AT HAD BE5 !IR [N L&1 & !IR SONS & DAU<T]S W\LD BE REMOV$ TO S]VE AS S]VANTS 9 !IR CR$ITORS' H\SEHOLDS1 OR EV5 SOLD ABROAD AS SLAVES4.<#a#c#a.> ,! E>LI] PROPHETS CONTA9 ALLUSIONS TO SU* CRISES1 BUT ! BOOK ( ,NEHEMIAH1 WRITT5 9 ,P]SIAN TIMES1 IS ! MO/ EXPLICIT3.<#a#c#b.> 

,SOME ALSO !RE W]E ?AT SAID1 0,WE HAVE MORTGAG$ \R L&S1 V9EY>DS1 & H\SES1 ?AT WE MI<T BUY CORN1 BECAUSE ( ! DE>?40 

,!RE W]E ALSO ?OSE ?AT SAID1 0,WE HAVE BORR[$ MONEY = ! K+'S TRIBUTE1 & ?AT UPON \R L&S & V9EY>DS4 

0,YET N[ \R FLE% IS AS ! FLE% ( \R BRE?R51 \R *ILDR5 AS !IR *ILDR53 &1 LO1 WE BR+ 9TO BONDAGE \R SONS & \R DAU<T]S TO BE S]VANTS1 & SOME ( \R DAU<T]S >E BR\<T UNTO BONDAGE ALREADY3 NEI!R IS IT 9 \R P[] TO R$EEM !M2 = O!R M5 HAVE \R L&S & V9EY>DS40 

,& ,I WAS V]Y ANGRY :5 ,I HE>D !IR CRY & !SE WORDS4 

,!N ,I CONSULT$ ) MYSELF1 & ,I REBUK$ ! NOBLES1 & ! RUL]S1 & SAID UNTO !M1 0,YE EXACT USURY1 EV]Y ONE ( HIS BRO!R40 ,& ,I SET A GREAT ASSEMBLY AGA9/ !M4.<#a#c#c.> 

,NEHEMIAH WAS A ,JEW BORN 9 ,BABYLON1 A =M] CUP-BE>] TO ! ,P]SIAN EMP]OR4 ,9 #ddd BC1 HE MANAG$ TO TALK ! ,GREAT ,K+ 9TO APPO9T+ HIM GOV]NOR ( HIS NATIVE ,JUDAEA4 ,HE ALSO RECEIV$ P]MISSION TO REBUILD ! ,TEMPLE 9 ,J]USALEM ?AT HAD BE5 DE/ROY$ BY ,NEBU*ADNEZZ> MORE ?AN TWO C5TURIES E>LI]4 ,9 ! C\RSE ( REBUILD+1 SACR$ TEXTS W]E RECOV]$ & RE/OR$2 9 A S5SE1 ?IS WAS ! MOM5T ( ! CREATION ( :AT WE N[ CONSID] ,JUDAISM4 

,! PROBLEM WAS ?AT ,NEHEMIAH QUICKLY F\ND HIMSELF CONFRONT$ ) A SOCIAL CRISIS4 ,ALL >\ND HIM1 IMPOV]I%$ PEASANTS W]E UNABLE TO PAY !IR TAXES2 CR$ITORS W]E C>RY+ (F ! *ILDR5 ( ! POOR4 ,HIS FIR/ RESPONSE WAS TO ISSUE A CLASSIC ,BABYLONIAN-/YLE 0CLEAN SLATE0 $ICT--HAV+ HIMSELF BE5 BORN 9 ,BABYLON1 HE WAS CLE>LY FAMILI> ) ! G5]AL PR9CIPLE4 ,ALL NONCOMM]CIAL DEBTS W]E TO BE =GIV54 ,MAXIMUM 9T]E/ RATES W]E SET4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 ?\<1 ,NEHEMIAH MANAG$ TO LOCATE1 REVISE1 & REISSUE MU* OLD] ,JEWI% LAWS1 N[ PRES]V$ 9 ,EXODUS1 ,DEUT]ONOMY1 & ,LEVITICUS1 :I* 9 C]TA9 WAYS W5T EV5 FUR!R1 BY 9/ITUTIONALIZ+ ! PR9CIPLE4.<#a#c#d.> ,! MO/ FAM\S ( !SE IS ! ,LAW ( ,JUBILEE3 A LAW ?AT /IPULAT$ ?AT ALL DEBTS W\LD BE AUTOMATICALLY CANCEL$ 09 ! ,SABBA? YE>0 7?AT IS1 AFT] SEV5 YE>S HAD PASS$71 & ?AT ALL :O LANGUI%$ 9 BONDAGE [+ TO SU* DEBTS W\LD BE RELEAS$4.<#a#c#e.> 

0,FRE$OM10 9 ! ,BIBLE1 AS 9 ,MESOPOTAMIA1 CAME TO REF] ABOVE ALL TO RELEASE FROM ! EFFECTS ( DEBT4 ,OV] TIME1 ! HI/ORY ( ! ,JEWI% PEOPLE ITSELF CAME TO BE 9T]PRET$ 9 ?IS LI<T3 ! LIB]ATION FROM BONDAGE 9 ,EGYPT WAS ,GOD'S FIR/1 P>ADIGMATIC ACT ( R$EMPTION2 ! HI/ORICAL TRIBULATIONS ( ! ,JEWS 7DEFEAT1 CONQUE/1 EXILE7 W]E SE5 AS MIS=TUNES ?AT W\LD EV5TUALLY LEAD TO A F9AL R$EMPTION ) ! COM+ ( ! ,MESSIAH--?\< ?IS C\LD ONLY BE ACCOMPLI%$1 PROPHETS SU* AS ,J]EMIAH W>N$ !M1 AFT] ! ,JEWI% PEOPLE TRULY REP5T$ ( !IR S9S 7C>RY+ EA* O!R (F 9TO BONDAGE1 :OR+ AFT] FALSE GODS1 ! VIOLATION ( COMM&M5TS74.<#a#c#f.> ,9 ?IS LI<T1 ! ADOPTION ( ! T]M BY ,*RI/IANS IS H>DLY SURPRIS+4 ,R$EMPTION WAS A RELEASE FROM ONE'S BURD5 ( S9 & GUILT1 & ! 5D ( HI/ORY W\LD BE ?AT MOM5T :5 ALL SLATES >E WIP$ CLEAN & ALL DEBTS F9ALLY LIFT$ :5 A GREAT BLA/ FROM ANGELIC TRUMPETS WILL ANN\NCE ! F9AL ,JUBILEE4 

,IF SO1 0R$EMPTION0 IS NO LONG] AB\T BUY+ SOME?+ BACK4 ,IT'S REALLY MORE A MATT] ( DE/ROY+ ! 5TIRE SY/EM ( ACC\NT+4 ,9 MANY ,MIDDLE ,EA/]N CITIES1 ?IS WAS LIT]ALLY TRUE3 ONE ( ! COMMON ACTS DUR+ DEBT CANCELLATION WAS ! C]EMONIAL DE/RUCTION ( ! TABLETS ON :I* F9ANCIAL RECORDS HAD BE5 KEPT1 AN ACT TO BE REPEAT$1 MU* LESS (FICIALLY1 9 JU/ AB\T EV]Y MAJOR PEASANT REVOLT 9 HI/ORY4.<#a#c#g.> 

,?IS LEADS TO ANO!R PROBLEM3 ,:AT IS POSSIBLE 9 ! MEANTIME1 BE=E ?AT F9AL R$EMPTION COMES8 ,9 ONE ( HIS MORE DI/URB+ P>ABLES1 ! ,P>ABLE ( ! ,UN=GIV+ ,S]VANT1 ,JESUS SEEM$ TO BE EXPLICITLY PLAY+ ) ! PROBLEM3 

,!RE=E1 ! K+DOM ( HEAV5 IS LIKE A K+ :O WANT$ TO SETTLE ACC\NTS ) HIS S]VANTS4 ,AS HE BEGAN ! SETTLEM5T1 A MAN :O [$ HIM T5 ?\S& TAL5TS WAS BR\<T TO HIM4 ,S9CE HE WAS NOT ABLE TO PAY1 ! MA/] ORD]$ ?AT HE & HIS WIFE & HIS *ILDR5 & ALL ?AT HE HAD BE SOLD TO REPAY ! DEBT4 

,! S]VANT FELL ON HIS KNEES BE=E HIM4 0,BE PATI5T ) ME10 HE BEGG$1 0& ,I WILL PAY BACK EV]Y?+40 ,! S]VANT'S MA/] TOOK PITY ON HIM1 CANCEL$ ! DEBT1 & LET HIM GO4 

,BUT :5 ?AT S]VANT W5T \T1 HE F\ND ONE ( HIS FELL[ S]VANTS :O [$ HIM A HUNDR$ D5>II4 ,HE GRABB$ HIM & BEGAN TO *OKE HIM4 0,PAY BACK :AT Y\ [E ME60 HE DEM&$4 

,HIS FELL[ S]VANT FELL TO HIS KNEES & BEGG$ HIM1 0,BE PATI5T ) ME1 & ,I WILL PAY Y\ BACK40 

,BUT HE REFUS$4 ,9/EAD1 HE W5T (F & HAD ! MAN ?R[N 9TO PRISON UNTIL HE C\LD PAY ! DEBT4 ,:5 ! O!R S]VANTS SAW :AT HAD HAPP5$1 !Y W]E GREATLY DI/RESS$ & W5T & TOLD !IR MA/] EV]Y?+ ?AT HAD HAPP5$4 

,!N ! MA/] CALL$ ! S]VANT 94 0,Y\ WICK$ S]VANT10 HE SAID1 0,I CANCEL$ ALL ?AT DEBT ( Y\RS BECAUSE Y\ BEGG$ ME TO4 ,%\LDN'T Y\ HAVE HAD M]CY ON Y\R FELL[ S]VANT JU/ AS ,I HAD ON Y\80 ,9 ANG] HIS MA/] TURN$ HIM OV] TO ! JAIL]S TO BE TORTUR$1 UNTIL HE %\LD PAY BACK ALL HE [$4.<#a#c#h.> 

,?IS IS QUITE AN EXTRAORD9>Y TEXT4 ,ON ONE LEVEL IT'S A JOKE2 9 O!RS1 IT C\LD H>DLY BE MORE S]I\S4 

,WE BEG9 ) ! K+ WI%+ TO 0SETTLE ACC\NTS0 ) HIS S]VANTS4 ,! PREMISE IS ABSURD4 ,K+S1 LIKE GODS1 CAN'T REALLY 5T] 9TO RELATIONS ( EX*ANGE ) !IR SUBJECTS1 S9CE NO P>ITY IS POSSIBLE4 ,& ?IS IS A K+ :O CLE>LY IS ,GOD4 ,C]TA9LY !RE CAN BE NO F9AL SETTL+ ( ACC\NTS4 

,SO AT BE/ WE >E DEAL+ ) AN ACT ( :IMSY ON ! K+'S P>T4 ,! ABSURDITY ( ! PREMISE IS HAMM]$ HOME BY ! SUM ! FIR/ MAN BR\<T BE=E HIM IS SAID TO [E4 ,9 ANCI5T ,JUDAEA1 TO SAY SOMEONE [ES A CR$ITOR 0T5 ?\S& TAL5TS0 W\LD BE LIKE N[ SAY+ SOMEONE [ES 0A HUNDR$ BILLION DOLL>S40 ,! NUMB] IS A JOKE1 TOO2 IT SIMPLY /&S 9 = 0A SUM NO HUMAN BE+ C\LD EV]1 CONCEIVABLY1 REPAY40.<#a#c#i.> 

,FAC$ ) 9F9ITE1 EXI/5TIAL DEBT1 ! S]VANT CAN ONLY TELL OBVI\S LIES3 0A HUNDR$ BILLION8 ,SURE1 ,I'M GOOD = IT6 ,JU/ GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE TIME40 ,!N1 SUDD5LY1 APP>5TLY JU/ AS >BITR>ILY1 ! ,LORD =GIVES HIM4 

,YET1 IT TURNS \T1 ! AMNE/Y HAS A CONDITION HE IS NOT AW>E (4 ,IT IS 9CUMB5T ON HIS BE+ WILL+ TO ACT 9 AN ANALOG\S WAY TO O!R HUMANS--9 ?IS P>TICUL> CASE1 ANO!R S]VANT :O [ES HIM 7TO TRANSLATE AGA9 9TO CONTEMPOR>Y T]MS71 MAYBE A ?\S& BUCKS4 ,FAIL+ ! TE/1 ! HUMAN IS CA/ 9TO HELL = ALL ET]NITY1 OR 0UNTIL HE %\LD PAY BACK ALL HE [$10 :I* 9 ?IS CASE COMES D[N TO ! SAME ?+4 

,! P>ABLE HAS LONG BE5 A *ALL5GE TO !OLOGIANS4 ,IT'S NORMALLY 9T]PRET$ AS A COMM5T ON ! 5DLESS B\NTY ( ,GOD'S GRACE & H[ LITTLE ,HE DEM&S ( US 9 COMP>ISON--& ?US1 BY IMPLICATION1 AS A WAY ( SUGGE/+ ?AT TORTUR+ US 9 HELL = ALL ET]NITY IS NOT AS UNREASONABLE AS IT MI<T SEEM4 ,C]TA9LY1 ! UN=GIV+ S]VANT IS A G5U9ELY ODI\S *>ACT]4 ,/ILL1 :AT IS EV5 MORE /RIK+ TO ME IS ! TACIT SUGGE/ION ?AT =GIV5ESS1 9 ?IS WORLD1 IS ULTIMATELY IMPOSSIBLE4 ,*RI/IANS PRACTICALLY SAY AS MU* EV]Y TIME !Y RECITE ! ,LORD'S ,PRAY]1 & ASK ,GOD TO 0=GIVE US \R DEBTS1 AS WE ALSO =GIVE \R DEBTORS40.<#a#d.> ,IT REPEATS ! /ORY ( ! P>ABLE ALMO/ EXACTLY1 & ! IMPLICATIONS >E SIMIL>LY DIRE4 ,AFT] ALL1 MO/ ,*RI/IANS RECIT+ ! PRAY] >E AW>E ?AT !Y DO NOT G5]ALLY =GIVE !IR DEBTORS4 ,:Y !N %\LD ,GOD =GIVE !M !IR S9S8.<#a#d#a.> 

,:AT'S MORE1 !RE IS ! L+]+ SUGGE/ION ?AT WE REALLY C\LDN'T LIVE UP TO ?OSE /&>DS1 EV5 IF WE TRI$4 ,ONE ( ! ?+S ?AT MAKES ! ,JESUS ( ! ,NEW ,TE/AM5T SU* A TANTALIZ+ *>ACT] IS ?AT IT'S NEV] CLE> :AT HE'S TELL+ US4 ,EV]Y?+ CAN BE READ TWO WAYS4 ,:5 HE CALLS ON HIS FOLL[]S TO =GIVE ALL DEBTS1 REFUSE TO CA/ ! FIR/ /ONE1 TURN ! O!R *EEK1 LOVE !IR 5EMIES1 TO H& OV] !IR POSSESSIONS TO ! POOR--IS HE REALLY EXPECT+ !M TO DO ?IS8 ,OR >E SU* DEM&S JU/ A WAY ( ?R[+ 9 !IR FACES ?AT1 S9CE WE >E CLE>LY NOT PREP>$ TO ACT ?IS WAY1 WE >E ALL S9N]S :OSE SALVATION CAN ONLY COME 9 ANO!R WORLD--A POSITION ?AT CAN BE 7& HAS BE57 US$ TO JU/IFY ALMO/ ANY?+8 ,?IS IS A VISION ( HUMAN LIFE AS 9H]5TLY CORRUPT1 BUT IT ALSO FRAMES EV5 SPIRITUAL AFFAIRS 9 COMM]CIAL T]MS3 ) CALCULATIONS ( S91 P5ANCE1 & ABSOLUTION1 ! ,DEVIL & ,/4 ,PET] ) !IR RIVAL L$G] BOOKS1 USUALLY ACCOMPANI$ BY ! CREEP+ FEEL+ ?AT IT'S ALL A *>ADE BECAUSE ! V]Y FACT ?AT WE >E R$UC$ TO PLAY+ SU* A GAME ( TABULAT+ S9S REVEALS US TO BE FUNDAM5TALLY UNWOR?Y ( =GIV5ESS4 

,WORLD RELIGIONS1 AS WE %ALL SEE1 >E FULL ( ?IS K9D ( AMBIVAL5CE4 ,ON ! ONE H& !Y >E \TCRIES AGA9/ ! M>KET2 ON ! O!R1 !Y T5D TO FRAME !IR OBJECTIONS 9 COMM]CIAL T]MS--AS IF TO >GUE ?AT TURN+ HUMAN LIFE 9TO A S]IES ( TRANSACTIONS IS NOT A V]Y GOOD DEAL4 ,:AT ,I ?9K EV5 !SE FEW EXAMPLES REVEAL1 ?\<1 IS H[ MU* IS BE+ PAP]$ OV] 9 ! CONV5TIONAL ACC\NTS ( ! ORIG9S & HI/ORY ( MONEY4 ,!RE IS SOME?+ ALMO/ T\*+LY NAIVE 9 ! /ORIES AB\T NEI<BORS SWAPP+ POTATOES = AN EXTRA PAIR ( %OES4 ,:5 ! ANCI5TS ?\<T AB\T MONEY1 FRI5DLY SWAPS W]E H>DLY ! FIR/ ?+ ?AT CAME TO M9D4 

,TRUE1 SOME MI<T HAVE ?\<T AB\T !IR TAB AT ! LOCAL ALE-H\SE1 OR1 IF !Y W]E A M]*ANT OR ADM9I/RATOR1 ( /OREH\SES1 ACC\NT BOOKS1 EXOTIC IMPORT$ DELI<TS4 ,= MO/1 ?\<1 :AT WAS LIKELY TO COME TO M9D WAS ! SELL+ ( SLAVES & RANSOM+ ( PRISON]S1 CORRUPT TAX-F>M]S & ! DEPR$ATIONS ( CONQU]+ >MIES1 MORTGAGES & 9T]E/1 !FT & EXTORTION1 REV5GE & PUNI%M5T1 &1 ABOVE ALL1 ! T5SION BETWE5 ! NE$ = MONEY TO CREATE FAMILIES1 TO ACQUIRE A BRIDE SO AS TO HAVE *ILDR51 & USE ( ?AT SAME MONEY TO DE/ROY FAMILIES--TO CREATE DEBTS ?AT LEAD TO ! SAME WIFE & *ILDR5 BE+ TAK5 AWAY4 0,SOME ( \R DAU<T]S >E BR\<T UNTO BONDAGE ALREADY3 NEI!R IS IT 9 \R P[] TO R$EEM !M40 ,ONE CAN ONLY IMAG9E :AT ?OSE WORDS MEANT1 EMOTIONALLY1 TO A FA!R 9 A PATRI>*AL SOCIETY 9 :I* A MAN'S ABILITY TO PROTECT ! HONOR ( HIS FAMILY WAS EV]Y?+4 ,YET ?IS IS :AT MONEY MEANT TO ! MAJORITY ( PEOPLE = MO/ ( HUMAN HI/ORY3 ! T]RIFY+ PROSPECT ( ONE'S SONS & DAU<T]S BE+ C>RI$ (F TO ! HOMES ( REPULSIVE /RANG]S TO CLEAN !IR POTS & PROVIDE ! OCCASIONAL SEXUAL S]VICES1 TO BE SUBJECT TO EV]Y CONCEIVABLE =M ( VIOL5CE & ABUSE1 POSSIBLY = YE>S1 CONCEIVABLY =EV]1 AS !IR P>5TS WAIT$1 HELPLESS1 AVOID+ EYE CONTACT ) !IR NEI<BORS1 :O KNEW EXACTLY :AT WAS HAPP5+ TO ?OSE !Y W]E SUPPOS$ TO HAVE BE5 ABLE TO PROTECT4.<#a#d#b.> ,CLE>LY ?IS WAS ! WOR/ ?+ ?AT C\LD HAPP5 TO ANYONE--:I* IS :Y1 9 ! P>ABLE1 IT C\LD BE TREAT$ AS 9T]*ANGEABLE ) BE+ 0TURN$ OV] TO ! JAIL]S TO BE TORTUR$0 = LIFE4 ,& ?AT'S JU/ FROM ! P]SPECTIVE ( ! FA!R4 ,ONE CAN ONLY IMAG9E H[ IT MI<T HAVE FELT TO BE ! DAU<T]4 ,YET1 OV] ! C\RSE ( HUMAN HI/ORY1 UNTOLD MILLIONS ( DAU<T]S HAVE KN[N 7& 9 FACT MANY /ILL KN[7 EXACTLY :AT IT'S LIKE4 

,ONE MI<T OBJECT ?AT ?IS WAS JU/ ASSUM$ TO BE 9 ! NATURE ( ?+S3 LIKE ! IMPOSITION ( TRIBUTE ON CONQU]$ POPULATIONS1 IT MI<T HAVE BE5 RES5T$1 BUT IT WASN'T CONSID]$ A MORAL ISSUE1 A MATT] ( RI<T & WRONG4 ,SOME ?+S JU/ HAPP54 ,?IS HAS BE5 ! MO/ COMMON ATTITUDE ( PEASANTS TO SU* PH5OM5A ?R\<\T HUMAN HI/ORY4 ,:AT'S /RIK+ AB\T ! HI/ORICAL RECORD IS ?AT 9 ! CASE ( DEBT CRISES1 ?IS WAS NOT H[ MANY REACT$4 ,MANY ACTUALLY DID BECOME 9DIGNANT4 ,SO MANY1 9 FACT1 ?AT MO/ ( \R CONTEMPOR>Y LANGUAGE ( SOCIAL JU/ICE1 \R WAY ( SPEAK+ ( HUMAN BONDAGE & EMANCIPATION1 CONT9UES TO E*O ANCI5T >GUM5TS AB\T DEBT4 

,IT'S P>TICUL>LY /RIK+ BECAUSE SO MANY O!R ?+S DO SEEM TO HAVE BE5 ACCEPT$ AS SIMPLY 9 ! NATURE ( ?+S4 ,ONE DOES NOT SEE A SIMIL> \TCRY AGA9/ CA/E SY/EMS1 = EXAMPLE1 OR = ?AT MATT]1 ! 9/ITUTION ( SLAV]Y4.<#a#d#c.> ,SURELY SLAVES & UNT\*ABLES (T5 EXP]I5C$ AT LEA/ EQUAL HORRORS4 ,NO D\BT MANY PROTE/$ !IR CONDITION4 ,:Y WAS IT ?AT ! DEBTORS' PROTE/S SEEM$ TO C>RY SU* GREAT] MORAL WEI<T8 ,:Y W]E DEBTORS SO MU* MORE EFFECTIVE 9 W9N+ ! E> ( PRIE/S1 PROPHETS1 (FICIALS1 & SOCIAL RE=M]S8 ,:Y WAS IT ?AT (FICIALS LIKE ,NEHEMIAH W]E WILL+ TO GIVE SU* SYMPA!TIC CONSID]ATION TO !IR COMPLA9TS1 TO 9VEI<1 TO SUMMON GREAT ASSEMBLIES8 

,SOME HAVE SUGGE/$ PRACTICAL REASONS3 DEBT CRISES DE/ROY$ ! FREE PEASANTRY1 & IT WAS FREE PEASANTS :O W]E DRAFT$ 9TO ANCI5T >MIES TO FI<T 9 W>S4.<#a#d#d.> ,NO D\BT ?IS WAS A FACTOR2 CLE>LY IT WASN'T ! ONLY ONE4 ,!RE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE ?AT ,NEHEMIAH1 = 9/ANCE1 9 HIS ANG] AT ! USUR]S1 WAS PRIM>ILY CONC]N$ ) HIS ABILITY TO LEVY TROOPS = ! ,P]SIAN K+4 ,IT IS SOME?+ MORE FUNDAM5TAL4 

,:AT MAKES DEBT DIFF]5T IS ?AT IT IS PREMIS$ ON AN ASSUMPTION ( EQUALITY4 

,TO BE A SLAVE1 OR L[]-CA/E1 IS TO BE 9TR9SICALLY 9F]IOR4 ,WE >E DEAL+ ) RELATIONS ( UNADULT]AT$ HI]>*Y4 ,9 ! CASE ( DEBT1 WE >E DEAL+ ) TWO 9DIVIDUALS :O BEG9 AS EQUAL P>TIES TO A CONTRACT4 ,LEGALLY1 AT LEA/ AS F> AS ! CONTRACT IS CONC]N$1 !Y >E ! SAME4 

,WE CAN ADD ?AT1 9 ! ANCI5T WORLD1 :5 PEOPLE :O ACTUALLY W]E MORE OR LESS SOCIAL EQUALS LOAN$ MONEY TO ONE ANO!R1 ! T]MS APPE> TO HAVE NORMALLY BE5 QUITE G5]\S4 ,(T5 NO 9T]E/ WAS *>G$1 OR IF IT WAS1 IT WAS V]Y L[4 0,& DON'T *>GE ME 9T]E/10 WROTE ONE WEAL?Y ,CANAANITE TO ANO!R1 9 A TABLET DAT$ >\ND #ab BC1 0AFT] ALL1 WE >E BO? G5TLEM540.<#a#d#e.> ,BETWE5 CLOSE K91 MANY 0LOANS0 W]E PROBABLY1 !N AS N[1 JU/ GIFTS ?AT NO ONE S]I\SLY EXPECT$ TO RECOV]4 ,LOANS BETWE5 RI* & POOR W]E SOME?+ ELSE AGA94 

,! PROBLEM WAS ?AT1 UNLIKE /ATUS DI/9CTIONS LIKE CA/E OR SLAV]Y1 ! L9E BETWE5 RI* & POOR WAS NEV] PRECISELY DRAWN4 ,ONE CAN IMAG9E ! REACTION ( A F>M] :O W5T UP TO ! H\SE ( A WEAL?Y C\S91 ON ! ASSUMPTION ?AT 0HUMANS HELP EA* O!R10 & 5D$ UP1 A YE> OR TWO LAT]1 WAT*+ HIS V9EY>D SEIZ$ & HIS SONS & DAU<T]S L$ AWAY4 ,SU* BEHAVIOR C\LD BE JU/IFI$1 9 LEGAL T]MS1 BY 9SI/+ ?AT ! LOAN WAS NOT A =M ( MUTUAL AID BUT A COMM]CIAL RELATION%IP--A CONTRACT IS A CONTRACT4 7,IT ALSO REQUIR$ A C]TA9 RELIABLE ACCESS TO SUP]IOR =CE47 ,BUT IT C\LD ONLY HAVE FELT LIKE A T]RIBLE BETRAYAL4 ,:AT'S MORE1 FRAM+ IT AS A BREA* ( CONTRACT MEANT /AT+ ?AT ?IS WAS1 9 FACT1 A MORAL ISSUE3 !SE TWO P>TIES \<T TO BE EQUALS1 BUT ONE HAD FAIL$ TO HONOR ! B>GA94 ,PSY*OLOGICALLY1 ?IS CAN ONLY HAVE MADE ! 9DIGNITY ( ! DEBTOR'S CONDITION ALL ! MORE PA9FUL1 S9CE IT MADE IT POSSIBLE TO SAY ?AT IT WAS HIS [N TURPITUDE ?AT SEAL$ HIS DAU<T]'S FATE4 ,BUT ?AT JU/ MADE ! MOTIVE ALL ! MORE COMPELL+ TO ?R[ BACK ! MORAL ASP]SIONS3 0,\R FLE% IS AS ! FLE% ( \R BRE?R51 \R *ILDR5 AS !IR *ILDR540 ,WE >E ALL ! SAME PEOPLE4 ,WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE ACC\NT ( ONE ANO!R'S NE$S & 9T]E/S4 ,H[ !N C\LD MY BRO!R DO ?IS TO ME8 

,9 ! ,OLD ,TE/AM5T CASE1 DEBTORS W]E ABLE TO M>%AL A P>TICUL>LY P[]FUL MORAL >GUM5T--AS ! AU?ORS ( ,DEUT]ONOMY CON/ANTLY REM9D$ !IR READ]S1 W]E NOT ! ,JEWS ALL SLAVES 9 ,EGYPT1 & HAD !Y NOT ALL BE5 R$EEM$ BY ,GOD8 ,WAS IT RI<T1 :5 !Y HAD ALL BE5 GIV5 ?IS PROMIS$ L& TO %>E1 = SOME TO TAKE ?AT L& AWAY FROM O!RS8 ,WAS IT RI<T = A POPULATION ( LIB]AT$ SLAVES TO GO AB\T 5SLAV+ ONE AO!R'S *ILDR58.<#a#d#f.> ,BUT ANALOG\S >GUM5TS W]E BE+ MADE 9 SIMIL> SITUATIONS ALMO/ EV]Y:]E 9 ! ANCI5T WORLD3 9 ,A!NS1 9 ,ROME1 & = ?AT MATT]1 9 ,*9A--:]E LEG5D HAD IT ?AT CO9AGE ITSELF WAS FIR/ 9V5T$ BY AN ANCI5T EMP]OR TO R$EEM ! *ILDR5 ( FAMILIES :O HAD BE5 =C$ TO SELL !M AFT] A S]IES ( DEVA/AT+ FLOODS4 

,?R\< MO/ ( HI/ORY1 :5 OV]T POLITICAL CONFLICT BETWE5 CLASSES DID APPE>1 IT TOOK ! =M ( PLEAS = DEBT CANCELLATION--! FREE+ ( ?OSE 9 BONDAGE1 & USUALLY1 A MORE JU/ REALLOCATION ( ! L&4 ,:AT WE SEE1 9 ! ,BIBLE & O!R RELIGI\S TRADITIONS1 >E TRACES ( ! MORAL >GUM5TS BY :I* SU* CLAIMS W]E JU/IFI$1 USUALLY SUBJECT TO ALL SORTS ( IMAG9ATIVE TWI/S & TURNS1 BUT 9EVITABLY1 TO SOME DEGREE1 9CORPORAT+ ! LANGUAGE ( ! M>KETPLACE ITSELF4 

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