Laszlo Zsolnai gave a lecture in the “Happiness Talk Series” of Rekhi Centre for The Science of Happiness at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur on October 30, 2021. He introduced the Western (Aristotelian) and the Eastern (Buddhist) conceptions of happiness and discussed the contemporary approaches to wellbeing. He argued that the purpose of the firm should be redefined. Instead of maximizing profit, firms should maximize the wellbeing of all the stakeholders. He presented cases of successful working models of wellbeing oriented organizations.

Under the leadership of Laszlo Zsolnai the Economy & Religion Program has been established at the Corvinus Institute for Advanced Studies, Corvinus University of Budapest in February 2021. The Economy & Religion Program aims to explore and study the multiple roles that religion/spirituality plays in the functioning of the economy. It focuses on the contemporary issues of capitalism in relation to ethics and morality, ecology and sustainability, and social inequality and cultural diversity. It fosters the spirit of open dialogue that seeks collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and faith traditions.

In 2021 the Business Ethics Center will start a PhD Specialization in Business Ethics and Spirituality within the Doctoral School of Business and Management of the Corvinus University of Budapest. The PhD Specialization consists of two interrelated modules: Business Ethics & Ethical Business, and Religious Economic Thought & Spiritual Business Models.

The slides summarizes the main projects and publications of the European SPES Institute in 2015-2020.

For good or ill, the capitalism we have, is the capitalism we have chosen, says Dr. Kenneth Barnes, Professor of Workplace Theology and Business Ethics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Fellow of the European SPES Institute. Capitalism works, but not for everyone, and the challenge before us is not to change its structure but to address the moral vacuum at the core of its current practice. In Redeeming Capitalism Barnes explores the history and workings of this sometimes-brutal economic system. He investigates the effects of postmodernism and unpacks biblical-theological teachings on work and wealth. Barnes envisions a more just and flourishing capitalism built not on the folly of naked self-interest, but on the sure foundations of faith, hope and love.

Our friend and colleague, Professor Rita Ghesquière passed away on March 12, 2018. She was professor of World Literature at Catholic University of Leuven for decades. Rita was involved in the European SPES from the very beginning. She contributed to many projects of the European SPES Institute. Her publications cover the intersections of literature, spirituality, leadership and ecology. One of her special interests was to study different art forms of angels. 

Economics as a Moral Science has been published by Springer. The book is an attempt to reclaim economics as a moral science. It argues that ethics is a relevant aspect of all levels of economic activity, from individual and organizational to societal and global. Taking ethical considerations into account is needed in explaining and predicting the behavior of economic agents as well as in evaluating and designing economic policies and mechanisms. The book employs the personalist approach that sees human persons with free will and conscience as the basic agents of economic life and defines human flourishing as the final end of economic activities.

Contemplative Social Research brings together research and insights from scholars throughout Europe and North America, and from a variety of social science disciplines. The book argues that contemplative-based inquiry is unique in recognizing the deep oneness of humanity, since it requires embodied awareness as well as openness to the transpersonal dimensions of the human experience. No single discipline can deal with such vitally important issues as climate change, growing social inequalities, or the social impact of new digital technologies. Consequently, the book argues that only a contemplative vision that pushes the boundaries between disciplines and cultures can extend and broaden the social and human sciences.