Author
David Ames Wells
1828-1898
David Ames Wells (1828-1898) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaBooks by David Ames Wells
Robinson Crusoe's Money; or, The Remarkable Financial Fortunes and Misfortunes of a Remote Island Community
"Robinson Crusoe's Money" by David Ames Wells is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work presents an allegorical exploration of the concepts of money and currency through the lens of a fictional remote island community, drawing inspiration from Daniel Defoe's classic character, Robinson Crusoe. The narrative methodically traces the evolution of economic systems from barter to the implementation of money, highlighting the complexities and implications of various monetary theories and practices. At the start of the book, the author introduces the island community and emphasizes the initial uselessness of money in the context of survival. Robinson Crusoe finds three bags of money among salvaged goods but quickly realizes that, without a means of exchange, currency holds no true value. As the population grows with the arrival of other characters, including Friday and English sailors, the narrative explores their transition from a barter-based economy to the adoption of a monetary system. The opening portions outline the challenges they face with direct trading and the subsequent necessity for a recognized standard of value, ultimately setting the stage for deeper discussions on the nature and role of money in society and its consequential impact on wealth and morality.
Het Geld van Robinson Crusoe Populaire uiteenzetting omtrent den oorsprong en het gebruik van geld als ruilmiddel
"Het Geld van Robinson Crusoe" by David A. Wells is a treatise on the origins and use of money as a medium of exchange, written in the early 20th century. The work utilizes the narrative of Robinson Crusoe to explore complex economic concepts in an accessible manner. Wells employs Crusoe's fictional experience on an isolated island to illustrate the evolution of monetary systems and the functionalities of money, providing insights on wealth, value, and the history of finance. The beginning of the text sets the stage by highlighting the importance of understanding money amidst economic turmoil, as experienced in the United States following the Civil War. The narrative opens with Crusoe discovering valuable items from a shipwreck, including three bags of money, which he dismisses as worthless in his survival context. This leads into a discussion of what constitutes wealth and value, demonstrating that while material goods can aid in comfort and happiness, money lacks inherent utility when divorced from a structured society that recognizes its worth. The introduction establishes the foundation for exploring how society derives meaning and value from money as it progresses through various economic phases.