Excursus 075 – On the Historical Emergence of Capitalism

Hossein Jorjani First publication: 2026 – 07 – 19 The existence of capital should not be confused with the existence of capitalism. Capital, merchants, markets, banking, and commercial exchange have existed in many societies throughout history. Their presence alone does not justify describing those societies as capitalist. The concept of capitalism is most appropriately appliedContinue reading “Excursus 075 – On the Historical Emergence of Capitalism”

Excursus 071 – On Intellectual Traditions as Evolving Populations

Hossein Jorjani First publication: 2026 – 07 – 19 Historical influence should not be confused with direct textual transmission. The doctrines associated with major thinkers seldom reach later generations solely through the original texts. More often they are transmitted through successive generations of interpretation, teaching, commentary, translation, adaptation, and institutional practice. As a result, theContinue reading “Excursus 071 – On Intellectual Traditions as Evolving Populations”

Excursus 068 – On the Original Meaning of “Dialectic”

Hossein Jorjani First publication: 2026 – 07 – 14 The modern reader often associates the word dialectic with contradiction, conflict, and negation, largely under the influence of Hegel and the later Marxist tradition. Etymologically, however, the term points in a much broader direction. The Greek dialektikē (διαλεκτική) derives from the verb dialegesthai (διαλέγεσθαι), meaning “toContinue reading “Excursus 068 – On the Original Meaning of “Dialectic””