Br. Michael Perry, O.F.M., director of Siena’s new Laudato Sí Center for Integral Ecology presented the College’s annual Golub Lecture sponsored by the School of Business.
He spoke on “Business Is Nature: Towards an Ethics of Sustainability” on April 21 in Massry Commons.
“An increasing number of scientists, businesspeople, economists, politicians, philosophers, ethicists, ordinary citizens young and old, indigenous communities, and religious leaders across the spectrum of the world’s great religious traditions are demanding that human beings adopt a different set of ethical principles to inform and guide decisions and practices that are having, and will continue to have, a potentially negative impact on all life forms and on the planet."
Br. Michael noted that “an authentic ethics of sustainability” will require of all of us a series of conversions that may be challenging for some to make, such as moving away from a model of development that “incorrectly presupposes access to unlimited natural resources,” and short-term investment and business strategies that do more harm than good and place the value of economic profitability over all other values.
“Such an ethics calls for responsible stewardship of the natural world and its resources. It places human beings at the center, requiring of all that attention be given to issues related to social justice. It calls upon individuals, organizations, government leaders, and business leaders to change their way of thinking and behaviors.”
Miranda Burak ’24 said she was thankful to have attended a lecture she found “truly inspiring.”
“Watching Br. Michael Perry speaks so passionately about all of his wonderful studies that he shared with us in the lecture has given me a new and fresh perspective about the environment. I’m grateful to the School of Business for organizing this amazing event.”