Economists since Adam Smith have studied the wealth of nations, but what about the good of nations and the people who inhabit them? Can modern economics handle a robust notion of the common good?
Acton’s Third Annual Academic Colloquium will seek to answer these questions by focusing on the theme of “Thomism and Economics.”
Thomism, the philosophical tradition building upon the work of the medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas, has much to say about what makes for good and flourishing societies. Some even trace the roots of modern economics to early Thomist thinkers. But today, modern economics has its own unique approach to the analysis of commercial life. Putting the two together promises an informative and fruitful exchange of ideas for a free and virtuous society.
As part of the Acton Institute’s locally popular Acton Lecture Series, this conference will feature a keynote address from Dr. Mary Hirschfeld, associate professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame and author of Aquinas and the Market: Toward a Humane Economy.
In addition, Acton will welcome twelve scholars for three panels of short paper presentations, featuring new research on the conference theme of “Thomism and Economics.”
With the partnership of:
Aquinas College
Calvin University
The Henry Institute
The Society for Thomistic Natural Philosophy
The Society for 21st Century Thomism
