This was the second of a four-part lecture series featuring Father Raymond de Souza on Human Dignity in the Marketplace.

Economics has been called the “dismal science” but is better understood as the science of human liberty. It studies the free exchange of goods and services among individuals in the marketplace. How should economists and Christians regard this freedom? Is it an absolute value? What are its limits?

How should we understand the value of work in economic affairs?

Virtues are traditionally understood to be good habits that aid in human flourishing. What kinds of virtues does the market encourage? Are there certain virtues that the market discourages? What about vices? Can markets be regulated to promote virtue or deter vice? Or does the market already require those virtues to be present in society?

Economics speaks the language of utility. But should we look at others through the lens of how they can be useful? Love and charity do not seek utility and express themselves in gifts not exchanges. Is there room in the marketplace for love and charity?