Theology and the Noble Vocation of Business

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course is intended to be a second level theology course that introduces fundamental principles of Catholic moral theology and Catholic Social Teaching, as oriented specifically for those preparing to enter the business world. As such, students will be encouraged to think in theological categories about business and ethics, and to appreciate how these categories bring the light of faith, in unity with the insights of human reason, to bear on the purpose of business and the possibility of virtuous engagement in this profession, which Pope Francis has called a "noble vocation." (Laudato Si, 129) In the first part of the course, we will introduce basic questions about human morality and the way that the Catholic tradition has reflected upon some of the central questions of human life: What does it mean to live the good life? What is morality, and what role does it play in the quest for happiness? What does God have to do with being moral? How does the question of vocation and discernment of purpose play into morality? Our aim here is to think about these basic questions in the light of Christian revelation, and how Catholic beliefs about God, creation, humanity and the person of Jesus have oriented and shaped the Church's moral reasoning based on the Scriptures, tradition, and history of the Church. The second part of the course is structured around the cardinal the theological virtues. As we encounter each of the virtues, we will first think introspectively, taking stock of how and why the virtue matters to each of us individually. We will then examine how each virtue can help guide personal actions in professional contexts, creating virtuous environments conducive to ethical flourishing in professional life. In order to do so, we will rely on insights from Catholic social teaching, and address debates over its interpretation and application. In dialogue with the virtue and Catholic social tradition, we will introduce cases from "applied ethics," to see how the virtue relates to real business contexts and situations in order to guide action. Throughout, a particular emphasis will be placed on the theme of Christian discipleship: How can a follower of Jesus, in different times and places, answer these questions and navigate these issues as a concrete way of expressing one's affirmation of Jesus Christ as one "who fully reveals human beings to themselves and makes their supreme calling clear?" (GS 22)