Papers by Joshua D. Glawson
Sound Money Review, Jan 5, 2026
This essay argues that money emerges spontaneously from purposeful human action and market exchan... more This essay argues that money emerges spontaneously from purposeful human action and market exchange rather than decree, and that “sound money” safeguards liberty by resisting political manipulation.
Addressing the limits of barter, especially the double coincidence of wants, it critiques conventional, ethical-historical accounts from Aristotle, Locke, and Smith as contingent or instrumental, and advances a deductive thesis grounded in the Austrian School.
Methodologically, it proceeds from axioms of human action to a stepwise account of increasing saleableness: from direct barter to commodity exchange, to proto-monies, and finally to universally marketable media.
Drawing on Menger’s analysis of money’s origin, Mises’s Regression Theorem, and Rothbard’s defense of commodity standards, the essay explains why gold and silver uniquely satisfy durability, divisibility, portability, uniformity, limited supply, relative value stability, and broad acceptability, thereby qualifying as sound money; by contrast, fiat currencies, which are rooted in legal decree, debasement, and seigniorage, are unsound substitutes that carry counterparty risk and enable manipulation.
The principal finding is that gold and silver became money not by arbitrary convention but by market selection, and that the “soundness” of money is best understood analogously to a sound argument found in deductive logic: valid in structure and true in premises as reflected in economic reality.
The significance is both economic and political: privileging sound money improves honest exchange, savings, and calculation, constrains inflationary policy and malinvestment, and serves as a bulwark for civil liberties.
The term "sound money" is sometimes mistakenly believed to originate from the sound that hard mon... more The term "sound money" is sometimes mistakenly believed to originate from the sound that hard money, or specie money, makes when struck.
However, according to writer Joshua D. Glawson of Money Metals Exchange, "sound money" actually derives its name from philosophy.
The "soundness" of money refers to its validity and reliability, much like a sound argument in logic. Just as a logo can symbolize trust and integrity for a company, sound money represents reliable value in financial systems.
Deductive reasoning is a form of logical thinking in philosophy that involves reaching conclusions based on established facts. In deductive reasoning, an argument is considered sound if it is both valid in form and has no false premises. This means that the conclusion of a sound argument must be true if the premises are true.
Similarly, sound money is money that is valid and true in its premises. When money is made from a commodity, such as gold or silver, its value is tied to the marginal utility of that commodity. The further money is removed from this true value state, the less sound becomes.
Just as a valid argument can be unsound if its premises are false, money can lose its soundness if it is not backed by a stable, real-world asset like gold or silver.
In contrast, modern paper money often struggles with maintaining this underlying marginal utility value, leading to wild fluctuations in prices and economic instability.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-sound-money-comprehensive-guide-joshua-d-glawson-7m4yf
In today's world, money is a central aspect of economic life, influencing everything from individ... more In today's world, money is a central aspect of economic life, influencing everything from individual financial decisions to global trade dynamics. However, the nature of money itself is often taken for granted. The debate between sound money and fiat currency remains one of the most critical discussions in economics. The Austrian School of Economics, with its strong emphasis on free markets and limited government intervention, provides a unique perspective on this debate. This article will explore the key differences between sound money and fiat currency, particularly through the lens of Austrian economic thought. The Austrian School of Economics views sound money as a crucial foundation for a healthy and stable economy. Sound money emerges naturally in the market and is historically tied to commodities like gold or silver. It is not imposed by government decree but is chosen by individuals and businesses as the most reliable medium of exchange. Austrian economists argue that sound money plays a vital role in preventing government overreach, encouraging savings, and supporting sustainable economic growth. By limiting the state's ability to inflate the currency, sound money protects individual freedom and preserves wealth over the long term. In contrast, fiat currency is established by government mandate and has no physical backing, meaning its value is based solely on the government's declaration that it must be accepted as legal tender. An example of modern fiat currency is the United States Dollar (USD) which is really a Federal Reserve Note. Austrian economists critique fiat currency systems as inherently flawed because they enable governments to manipulate the money supply. This often leads to boom-and-bust cycles, malinvestment, and overall economic instability. The Austrian School advocates for a return to sound money principles to restore economic order and protect individual wealth, emphasizing the risks associated with fiat currency and the benefits of a stable, market-based monetary system. • Sound Money: Austrian economists argue that sound money is essential for economic stability and individual liberty. By limiting government intervention, sound money Written by Ai. Directed & Edited by Joshua D Glawson.
Ideas of people, government, politics, religion, and our perception of the world are heavily infl... more Ideas of people, government, politics, religion, and our perception of the world are heavily influenced by family and schools. Much like ordinary socialization skills are acquired by children through experiences and direction of family and adult figures, the same is true for political socialization and overall worldview.
The way children learn how to respond to different ideas, engage in civil discourse, and handle objection or rejection, are first taught in the home and school. Sometimes these lessons conflict with one another, which can exacerbate a child’s learning curve potential.
To avoid or overcome many of the inconsistencies and difficulties that arise from philosophical incoherence, one must understand how one views their own existence in the world and how one views others in relation to oneself.
There are several ways to view one’s existence in the world. In this essay, I will go over four (4) predominant philosophical views of a person’s existence, or human nature, to provide clarity. These views are embodied in hard determinism, soft determinism, free will, and metaphysical libertarianism.
Next, I will demonstrate how these views of existence play a significant role in how a person views their relationship with others, especially as they correlate to political ethics and authority. Two of these prevailing ethical and authoritative perspectives include heteronomy and autonomy.
Free The People, 2023
In the study of Ancient Greek philosophy and Stoicism, we cover the idea of eudaimonia which tran... more In the study of Ancient Greek philosophy and Stoicism, we cover the idea of eudaimonia which translates as happiness or human flourishing. The etymology of eudaimonia is derived from the word eû which means good or well, and the second word daímōn which means dispenser, genius, or to divide. Eudaimonia is the concept of genuine human happiness, and ultimately human flourishing, arising from the balance of three key points:
Taking personal responsibility
Focusing on what one can control
Living a virtuous, purposeful, life with intentional action
By living in accordance with these principles, many philosophers believe that people are able to achieve happiness. When these personal virtues are acquired and coordinated with other people who share these virtues, as a form of division of labor, this creates an environment for human flourishing. Eudaimonism, in short, is an ethical doctrine holding that the value of moral action lies in its capacity to produce happiness. It is an ancient, philosophical, form of personal development that people can still benefit from today.
The United States of America is a constitutional federal democratic republic form of government. ... more The United States of America is a constitutional federal democratic republic form of government. Politically, there are four main parties of influence today-they are Democrats, Republicans, Socialists, and Libertarians. Within each of these political parties, there are value structures that help guide each of their approaches to the use of government... By understanding these differences and similarities, it is easier to navigate the political landscape while comprehending why these groups vote and act the way they do. The similarities have enabled the two dominant parties to take advantage of the lesser two, but it also allows the opportunity for the lower-ranked parties to begin chiseling away at the two dominating parties.
71 Republic, 2018
Iran has gone through many changes since its inception. Some of these changes have been inspired ... more Iran has gone through many changes since its inception. Some of these changes have been inspired internally as well as outside Iran itself. This brief article, originally published in 2018, goes through some of those positive and negative influences.
Originally written in 2018 , this piece goes over deteriorating US-Russia and US-China relations.
John Stuart Mill: On Liberty
The Nineteenth Century
An Examination of the Famous Founding Text of Liberalism and its Flaws
This is a brief look into an important distinction to be made between ‘case’ probability and ‘cla... more This is a brief look into an important distinction to be made between ‘case’ probability and ‘class’ probability as written by economist and philosopher Ludwig von Mises.
There is a distinction between 'I' and 'we.' This paper is not intended to debate each school of ... more There is a distinction between 'I' and 'we.' This paper is not intended to debate each school of thought and their respective arguments, rather to make the reader cognizant of distinctions between the 'I' and the 'we.'
This is a brief one-page overview of John Stuart Mill's book, On Liberty. Specifically, this cove... more This is a brief one-page overview of John Stuart Mill's book, On Liberty. Specifically, this covers his Harm Principle and freedom of speech.
This is a brief, one-page, overview of John Locke's concept of 'legitimacy' as it applies to the ... more This is a brief, one-page, overview of John Locke's concept of 'legitimacy' as it applies to the State or government as described in his book The Two Treatises of Government.
Machiavelli advocated for control and manipulation, among other deceptive methods, in order for o... more Machiavelli advocated for control and manipulation, among other deceptive methods, in order for one to accomplish their goal of becoming a “sovereign power.” In fact, he specified while reflecting on the work of Camillus that “Government consists in nothing else but so controlling subjects that they shall neither be able to, nor have cause to, do you [government, or sovereign] harm,” (Discourses, ii.23.1-3).
A border wall is as detrimental to an economy as tariffs, while a wall also fortifies the welfare... more A border wall is as detrimental to an economy as tariffs, while a wall also fortifies the welfare and warfare State. Allowing for more open borders will bring about more exchange with greater rewards than losses, while also acting to weaponize open border policies directly against the welfare and warfare State.
Throughout the vast majority of the world and all of recorded history, there have been tales of b... more Throughout the vast majority of the world and all of recorded history, there have been tales of boogeymen, monsters in the dark to punish the disobedient and the susceptible. There are several places in the modern world that we continue this childish fear, and it limits human progress.
A short series including a distinguishing terms, i.e. ‘moral,’ ‘ethic,’ and ‘Justice.’ I shall de... more A short series including a distinguishing terms, i.e. ‘moral,’ ‘ethic,’ and ‘Justice.’ I shall defend using animals for human consumption, the current popular problems of big game hunting, and a possible solution to the issues giving as close to a win-win as possible throughout this work. Overall, the running theme will contend that humans are not “equal” to other species of animals, especially not under the law.
There is obviously soo much more that can be said on this topic. Hopefully, this sparks thought provoking conversation.
Income inequality exists in the world as a necessary characteristic of money and economics itself... more Income inequality exists in the world as a necessary characteristic of money and economics itself. If money is a measurement of the value one brings to the market, naturally there will be differences in income...
The rich are not getting richer, the poor are not getting poorer. Capitalism has helped not only those at the top, but it has surely helped most people escape abject poverty. Those that say otherwise and complain how capitalism has made the rich wealthier, should now consider how ending the greatest human social mechanism, i.e. capitalism, will help the poor. If the wealthy have benefited drastically better than the poor, then it would behoove everyone to be a part of such a system. Viz., ending cronyism, rent-seeking, political power and regulations of labor unions, coercive monopolies, and various other regulations and license requirements in the market, etc. would benefit everyone in the long run, as tendencies towards free trade has already proven. This would also alleviate any of the governmental coercive means of income inequality, allowing for people to live and trade more freely. This is not faith in a system, per se. Rather, this is allowing people to live and trade as they see fit, with a government that will protect those that are infringed upon, instead of favoring and benefiting a few.
This essay shall cover the standard economic case for ‘free trade,’ explain three possible proble... more This essay shall cover the standard economic case for ‘free trade,’ explain three possible problems in that argument as pointed out by Dr. Robert Driskill, as well as provide examples of possible losers in a free market and the moral justification of such losses...
Where Driskill is not accurate is that he seems to think of the economy as groups of people acting in ‘free trade,’ when in fact all human action is conducted by the individual.
This essay will analyze the impact of slavery and its notorious legacy on ideals of ‘freedom’ and... more This essay will analyze the impact of slavery and its notorious legacy on ideals of ‘freedom’ and ‘equality’ through the respective works of Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, and James Baldwin. I will also lend my commentary support and contentions with each of these individuals as it is my position that slavery is an abomination; and more specifically, the United Sates’ history of chattel slavery has created serious concern for the concept of ‘justice.’
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Papers by Joshua D. Glawson
Addressing the limits of barter, especially the double coincidence of wants, it critiques conventional, ethical-historical accounts from Aristotle, Locke, and Smith as contingent or instrumental, and advances a deductive thesis grounded in the Austrian School.
Methodologically, it proceeds from axioms of human action to a stepwise account of increasing saleableness: from direct barter to commodity exchange, to proto-monies, and finally to universally marketable media.
Drawing on Menger’s analysis of money’s origin, Mises’s Regression Theorem, and Rothbard’s defense of commodity standards, the essay explains why gold and silver uniquely satisfy durability, divisibility, portability, uniformity, limited supply, relative value stability, and broad acceptability, thereby qualifying as sound money; by contrast, fiat currencies, which are rooted in legal decree, debasement, and seigniorage, are unsound substitutes that carry counterparty risk and enable manipulation.
The principal finding is that gold and silver became money not by arbitrary convention but by market selection, and that the “soundness” of money is best understood analogously to a sound argument found in deductive logic: valid in structure and true in premises as reflected in economic reality.
The significance is both economic and political: privileging sound money improves honest exchange, savings, and calculation, constrains inflationary policy and malinvestment, and serves as a bulwark for civil liberties.
However, according to writer Joshua D. Glawson of Money Metals Exchange, "sound money" actually derives its name from philosophy.
The "soundness" of money refers to its validity and reliability, much like a sound argument in logic. Just as a logo can symbolize trust and integrity for a company, sound money represents reliable value in financial systems.
Deductive reasoning is a form of logical thinking in philosophy that involves reaching conclusions based on established facts. In deductive reasoning, an argument is considered sound if it is both valid in form and has no false premises. This means that the conclusion of a sound argument must be true if the premises are true.
Similarly, sound money is money that is valid and true in its premises. When money is made from a commodity, such as gold or silver, its value is tied to the marginal utility of that commodity. The further money is removed from this true value state, the less sound becomes.
Just as a valid argument can be unsound if its premises are false, money can lose its soundness if it is not backed by a stable, real-world asset like gold or silver.
In contrast, modern paper money often struggles with maintaining this underlying marginal utility value, leading to wild fluctuations in prices and economic instability.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-sound-money-comprehensive-guide-joshua-d-glawson-7m4yf
The way children learn how to respond to different ideas, engage in civil discourse, and handle objection or rejection, are first taught in the home and school. Sometimes these lessons conflict with one another, which can exacerbate a child’s learning curve potential.
To avoid or overcome many of the inconsistencies and difficulties that arise from philosophical incoherence, one must understand how one views their own existence in the world and how one views others in relation to oneself.
There are several ways to view one’s existence in the world. In this essay, I will go over four (4) predominant philosophical views of a person’s existence, or human nature, to provide clarity. These views are embodied in hard determinism, soft determinism, free will, and metaphysical libertarianism.
Next, I will demonstrate how these views of existence play a significant role in how a person views their relationship with others, especially as they correlate to political ethics and authority. Two of these prevailing ethical and authoritative perspectives include heteronomy and autonomy.
Taking personal responsibility
Focusing on what one can control
Living a virtuous, purposeful, life with intentional action
By living in accordance with these principles, many philosophers believe that people are able to achieve happiness. When these personal virtues are acquired and coordinated with other people who share these virtues, as a form of division of labor, this creates an environment for human flourishing. Eudaimonism, in short, is an ethical doctrine holding that the value of moral action lies in its capacity to produce happiness. It is an ancient, philosophical, form of personal development that people can still benefit from today.
There is obviously soo much more that can be said on this topic. Hopefully, this sparks thought provoking conversation.
The rich are not getting richer, the poor are not getting poorer. Capitalism has helped not only those at the top, but it has surely helped most people escape abject poverty. Those that say otherwise and complain how capitalism has made the rich wealthier, should now consider how ending the greatest human social mechanism, i.e. capitalism, will help the poor. If the wealthy have benefited drastically better than the poor, then it would behoove everyone to be a part of such a system. Viz., ending cronyism, rent-seeking, political power and regulations of labor unions, coercive monopolies, and various other regulations and license requirements in the market, etc. would benefit everyone in the long run, as tendencies towards free trade has already proven. This would also alleviate any of the governmental coercive means of income inequality, allowing for people to live and trade more freely. This is not faith in a system, per se. Rather, this is allowing people to live and trade as they see fit, with a government that will protect those that are infringed upon, instead of favoring and benefiting a few.
Where Driskill is not accurate is that he seems to think of the economy as groups of people acting in ‘free trade,’ when in fact all human action is conducted by the individual.