Philosophy Series - Capitalist Realism by Mark Fisher
Details
Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? is a 2009 book by British philosopher Mark Fisher.
It explores his concept of "capitalist realism", defined as "the widespread sense that not only is capitalism the only viable political and economic system, but also that it is now impossible even to imagine a coherent alternative to it."
Possible Questions:
- Why is it easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism? What does this reveal about the limits of our imagination?
- If capitalism shapes our desires and values, how can we know whether we genuinely want an alternative to it?
- Are we truly free if we can make choices within capitalism but cannot meaningfully change the system itself?
- Can capitalism genuinely be criticized if it can turn rebellion, resistance, and anti-capitalist ideas into profitable commodities?
- When does personal suffering become a political problem rather than an individual one? How does capitalism influence the way we understand mental health?
- Can people recognize that a system is harmful while continuing to participate in and reproduce it? What keeps the system functioning?
- Does capitalism limit our ability to imagine alternatives, or have we simply failed to create convincing alternatives to it?
- If our identities and desires are shaped by the society we live in, what does it mean to be genuinely free?
- Would abolishing capitalism necessarily create a more liberated society, or could the same forms of domination emerge under a different system?
- Does believing that no alternative to capitalism is possible help sustain capitalism more effectively than believing it is good?
Free copy (online):
When and where
🗓️ Date: Sunday November 15th, 2026
🕒 Time: 1:00 PM- 3:00PM PDT
📍 Location: UBC Learning Exchange
612 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
Meeting point: Main entrance at 612 Main Street.
Cap: 25
Please arrive 10 minutes before the event starts. Doors close 10 minutes after the start time.