Episode 5 - Andrew Carnegie: The Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish immigrant who became a steel baron, is remembered as the father of modern philanthropy. He famously declared that "the man who dies thus rich dies disgraced," and he penned "The Gospel of Wealth," an essay arguing that the super-rich had a moral obligation to use their fortunes for the public good. This episode examines the powerful philosophy that shaped his public image and inspired generations of philanthropists.

We explore Carnegie’s vision of a society where the "fittest" businessmen acquire wealth and then administer it for the benefit of all, funding libraries, concert halls, and universities. On the surface, it was a noble idea that positioned capitalists not as hoarders of wealth, but as its most effective distributors. We analyze the profound impact of his giving, which truly did transform the cultural and educational landscape of America and the world. His name is etched onto thousands of buildings, a testament to his generosity.

But was this gospel a genuine moral code or a convenient justification for the brutal methods he used to accumulate his fortune? This episode sets the stage for a dramatic conflict between Carnegie's public philosophy and his private actions. We reveal the man behind the myth, before his gospel was put to its most violent test.