Towards an Inclusive Economy: Catholic Social Thought on Wealth Inequality

Location

Founders Hall, Ministry Center and via Zoom

Cost

0

Economics has often been called “the science of wealth.” However, economics does not have a satisfactory definition of “wealth”. To truly understand wealth, we must go beyond economic theory and enter a dialogue with the other social sciences and the humanities. Wealth is a social phenomenon that can only be understood via social categories and it is greatly shaped by the society’s values.

This lecture will look at what the Catholic social thought tradition, especially Pope Francis concept of the “economy of exclusion”, can add to our understanding of wealth. By highlighting the distinction between “wealth creation” and “wealth capture”, we will examine ways that we can follow Francis’ call to building an inclusive economy.