CLA Scholarly Intersections: Barry Lam

CLA Scholarly Intersections
PHIL  â€¢  LEGL  â€¢  ECON  â€¢  POSC
08 Oct 2026, 5:00pm–7:00pm, ³¢±õµþ¸é–201

Barry Lam (University of California Riverside)

In Trusts We're God
Philosophy is actually to blame for why taxes on billionaires will never work. Through a legal fiction called a 'trust', the wealthy can exploit subtle philosophical distinctions that allow them to define away 'ownership' of their assets. Since you cannot tax what people do not own, the ultimate tax shelter turns out to be metaphysics, not the Bahamas.

 

Professor Lam is host and producer of 's podcast, which will releasing its next season in January 2027.

CLA SI Barry Lam 10–08–26