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Dr. William Vendley
and
Jeffrey D. Sachs
The challenges of sustainable development are more than technical or political--they are also moral, calling on us to examine who we are as human beings, and who we want to be going forward.
This examination of what makes a "good person"--called virtue ethics--has long been the purview of philosophers and theologians. So what do the world's great religious and secular philosophies have to say about ethical conduct? Which virtues are common across creeds and cultures? And what role do ethics, spirituality, and religious communities have to play in sustainable development?
Read more
The challenges of sustainable development are more than technical or political--they are also moral, calling on us to examine who we are as human beings, and who we want to be going forward.
This examination of what makes a "good person"--called virtue ethics--has long been the purview of philosophers and theologians. So what do the world's great religious and secular philosophies have to say about ethical conduct? Which virtues are common across creeds and cultures? And what role do ethics, spirituality, and religious communities have to play in sustainable development?
Read more
The challenges of sustainable development are more than technical or political--they are also moral, calling on us to examine who we are as human beings, and who we want to be going forward.
This examination of what makes a "good person"--called virtue ethics--has long been the purview of philosophers and theologians. So what do the world's great religious and secular philosophies have to say about ethical conduct? Which virtues are common across creeds and cultures? And what role do ethics, spirituality, and religious communities have to play in sustainable development?
In 2016, distinguished leaders from the world's major religious traditions, philosophers, scholars, and scientists were invited by Pope Francis to the Vatican for a series of meetings. Known as the Ethics in Action initiative, these meetings sought to promote dialogue and find consensus about the values needed to advance transformative action for our common home and the human family.
This course features Ethics in Action meeting participants, as well as other leading voices, and discusses the perspectives of some of the world's great traditions and their role in addressing our world's most pressing challenges, including poverty, corruption, and climate change. It presents multi-faith cooperation as essential for achieving sustainable development, and calls for the development of a new shared virtue ethics to bring us all into a sustainable and peaceful future.
This course is for:
- Religious and spiritual communities and individuals who want to contribute to the work of sustainable development
- Development professionals who want to understand and engage local faith communities
- Advanced undergraduates and graduate students interested in philosophy, religion, theology, and their relation to global issues
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/fhx92r/ethics
What's inside
Learning objectives
- The meaning of virtue ethics and its expression in several major religious and philosophical traditions
- The importance of establishing multi-faith consensus to advance sustainable development
- The importance of involving faith communities in peace and development work
- How ethics motivates the actions of religious and secular leaders, politicians, scientists, civil society, and business
- What shared virtue ethics are needed to create a more peaceful and prosperous world for everyone
- The meaning of virtue ethics and its expression in several major religious and philosophical traditions
- The importance of establishing multi-faith consensus to advance sustainable development
- The importance of involving faith communities in peace and development work
- How ethics motivates the actions of religious and secular leaders, politicians, scientists, civil society, and business
- What shared virtue ethics are needed to create a more peaceful and prosperous world for everyone
Syllabus
Course Conclusion: Towards a New Virtue Ethics for Sustainable Development
Examining Ethics in Action: Case Studies
Pope Francis and Multi-Faith Action
Read more
Syllabus
Course Conclusion: Towards a New Virtue Ethics for Sustainable Development
Examining Ethics in Action: Case Studies
Pope Francis and Multi-Faith Action
Read more
Religions for Peace
Community-based Healthcare in Africa
Health and Climate Change
Reflections from the Business Community
Move Humanity
Module 1: Introduction to Ethics in ActionChapter 1: Sustainable Development and the Need for Ethics in Action Chapter 2: The History of Sustainable Development and the SDGs Chapter 3: The Moral and Practical Limits of Global CapitalismChapter 4: Moral Teachings and Sustainable Development: An Overview from the World’s Religions
Module 2: Religion and Virtue Ethics - Part IChapter 1: Lessons from Classical GreeceChapter 2: Lessons from Classical China Chapter 3: A Hindu Perspective Chapter 4: A Buddhist Perspective
Module 3: Religion and Virtue Ethics - Part IIChapter 1: A Jewish Perspective Chapter 2: A Catholic Perspective Chapter 3: A Protestant Evangelical Perspective Chapter 4: An Islamic PerspectiveChapter 5: An Indigenous Perspective
Module 4: The Virtuous SocietyChapter 1: Virtue Ethics as a Multi-Religious ConsensusChapter 2: Inquiry and Moral Reasoning Chapter 3: Spirituality and the Common Good Chapter 4: Virtue Ethics and Science Chapter 5. Gender Equality: A Confucian Perspective
Module 5: Poverty and InequalityChapter 1: The Challenge of Global Poverty Chapter 2: The Rights to Health, Education, and Decent WorkChapter 3: Christian Social Teachings on PovertyChapter 4: Ethical Conduct Towards the VulnerableChapter 5: Ethical Actions to End Poverty
Module 6: PeaceChapter 1: The State of Conflict around the WorldChapter 2: Barriers to Lasting Peace among and within Nations Chapter 3: Tenets of Peace of the World’s Religions Chapter 4: Religion and Peacebuilding Chapter 5: Actions for a Lasting Peace: Lessons from Syria
Module 7: Refugees, Trafficking, and Modern SlaveryChapter 1: Drivers of Migration, Human Trafficking, and Modern Chapter 2: The Ethics of Migration and RefugeesChapter 3: The Ethics of Modern Slavery and Trafficking Chapter 4: Political and Social Responses to Forced Migration
Module 8: Environmental JusticeChapter 1: Environmental Perils Facing the Planet Chapter 2: A Hindu Approach to Environmental Care Chapter 3: Laudato Si’ and Climate Justice Chapter 4: The Rights of Indigenous Populations Chapter 5: Defending our Common Home: Global and Local Actions
Module 9: Politics and PowerChapter 1: Politics, Power, and the Common Good Chapter 2: The Moral Underpinnings of StatecraftChapter 3: Ethics and the International Political Order Chapter 4: Corruption and Politics Today
Module 10: Business, Work, and the Common GoodChapter 1: The Moral Basis for Business Activity Chapter 2: Corruption and Global BusinessChapter 3: Technology and the Dignity of Work Chapter 4: Business Leadership for Community Well-being
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Provides guidance on how religious, ethical, and cultural perspectives contribute to sustainable development efforts
Builds a foundation in virtue ethics and its applications across various religious and philosophical traditions
Taught by Jeffrey D. Sachs and Dr. William Vendley, recognized experts in sustainable development and global issues
Case studies and reflections from individuals and organizations actively engaged in ethical action provide real-world examples
Requires familiarity with basic concepts of ethics, religion, and sustainable development
May not be suitable for learners seeking a purely technical or scientific approach to sustainable development
Save this course
Save Ethics in Action to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Ethics in Action with these
activities:
Follow tutorials on how to reduce your carbon footprint
Show steps
This activity will help you to learn practical ways to reduce your impact on the environment.
Show steps
-
Search for tutorials on how to reduce your carbon footprint.
-
Follow the instructions in the tutorials.
-
Track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Review what you know about virtue ethics
Show steps
This activity will help you to recall key concepts from your prior studies of virtue ethics.
Browse courses on
Virtue Ethics
Show steps
-
Go over your notes from previous courses on virtue ethics.
-
Read a few articles on virtue ethics to refresh your memory.
-
Take a practice quiz on virtue ethics.
Create a collection of resources on sustainable development
Show steps
This activity will help you to gather and organize information on sustainable development from a variety of sources.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Development
Show steps
-
Identify different sources of information on sustainable development, such as websites, articles, and books.
-
Gather and curate resources from these sources.
-
Organize the resources into a coherent collection.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Attend a conference or workshop on sustainable development
Show steps
This activity will help you to connect with other professionals in the sustainable development field and learn about the latest trends and developments.
Show steps
-
Research upcoming conferences and workshops on sustainable development.
-
Register for a conference or workshop that interests you.
-
Attend the conference or workshop and participate in the sessions.
Read Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si'
Show steps
This activity will help you to understand Pope Francis' views on environmental ethics and their implications for sustainable development.
Show steps
-
Read the encyclical in its entirety.
-
Take notes on the key points of the encyclical.
-
Write a summary of the encyclical.
Join a study group for the course
Show steps
This activity will help you to learn from your peers and deepen your understanding of the course material.
Show steps
-
Find a study group that meets your schedule and learning style.
-
Attend study group meetings regularly.
-
Participate in discussions and ask questions.
Volunteer with a local faith-based organization
Show steps
This activity will help you to connect with your local faith community and put your ethical values into practice.
Show steps
-
Research local faith-based organizations that align with your values.
-
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
-
Sign up for a volunteer position and make a commitment to volunteer regularly.
Develop a plan for how to apply virtue ethics to your own life
Show steps
This activity will help you to apply the concepts of virtue ethics to your daily life and make more ethical choices.
Show steps
-
Identify the virtues that are most important to you.
-
Develop a plan for how to cultivate these virtues in your daily life.
-
Put your plan into action and track your progress.
Contribute to an open-source project on sustainable development
Show steps
This activity will help you to apply your skills to a real-world project and make a contribution to the sustainable development community.
Show steps
-
Find an open-source project on sustainable development that you are interested in.
-
Contribute to the project by writing code, fixing bugs, or translating documentation.
-
Submit your contributions to the project.
Follow tutorials on how to reduce your carbon footprint
Show steps
This activity will help you to learn practical ways to reduce your impact on the environment.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for tutorials on how to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Follow the instructions in the tutorials.
- Track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Review what you know about virtue ethics
Show steps
This activity will help you to recall key concepts from your prior studies of virtue ethics.
Browse courses on
Virtue Ethics
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Go over your notes from previous courses on virtue ethics.
- Read a few articles on virtue ethics to refresh your memory.
- Take a practice quiz on virtue ethics.
Create a collection of resources on sustainable development
Show steps
This activity will help you to gather and organize information on sustainable development from a variety of sources.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Development
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify different sources of information on sustainable development, such as websites, articles, and books.
- Gather and curate resources from these sources.
- Organize the resources into a coherent collection.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Attend a conference or workshop on sustainable development
Show steps
This activity will help you to connect with other professionals in the sustainable development field and learn about the latest trends and developments.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research upcoming conferences and workshops on sustainable development.
- Register for a conference or workshop that interests you.
- Attend the conference or workshop and participate in the sessions.
Read Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si'
Show steps
This activity will help you to understand Pope Francis' views on environmental ethics and their implications for sustainable development.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the encyclical in its entirety.
- Take notes on the key points of the encyclical.
- Write a summary of the encyclical.
Join a study group for the course
Show steps
This activity will help you to learn from your peers and deepen your understanding of the course material.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a study group that meets your schedule and learning style.
- Attend study group meetings regularly.
- Participate in discussions and ask questions.
Volunteer with a local faith-based organization
Show steps
This activity will help you to connect with your local faith community and put your ethical values into practice.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research local faith-based organizations that align with your values.
- Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
- Sign up for a volunteer position and make a commitment to volunteer regularly.
Develop a plan for how to apply virtue ethics to your own life
Show steps
This activity will help you to apply the concepts of virtue ethics to your daily life and make more ethical choices.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify the virtues that are most important to you.
- Develop a plan for how to cultivate these virtues in your daily life.
- Put your plan into action and track your progress.
Contribute to an open-source project on sustainable development
Show steps
This activity will help you to apply your skills to a real-world project and make a contribution to the sustainable development community.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find an open-source project on sustainable development that you are interested in.
- Contribute to the project by writing code, fixing bugs, or translating documentation.
- Submit your contributions to the project.
Career center
Learners who complete Ethics in Action will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Sustainability Policy Analyst
Sustainability Policy Analyst
Sustainability Policy Analysts study sustainability policies and make recommendations for policy changes. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or think tanks. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Sustainability Policy Analyst, including an understanding of the different dimensions of sustainability, such as environmental protection, social justice, and economic development.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants advise businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations on how to become more sustainable. As companies face increasing pressure from consumers and investors to reduce their environmental impact, the role of Sustainability Consultants will become more important. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Sustainability Consultant, including an understanding of the different dimensions of sustainability, such as environmental protection, social justice, and economic development.
Interfaith Dialogue Facilitator
Interfaith Dialogue Facilitator
Interfaith Dialogue Facilitators help people from different religious backgrounds to understand each other and to work together for peace. They may work for a variety of organizations, such as religious organizations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as an Interfaith Dialogue Facilitator, including an understanding of the different world religions, and the different ways that interfaith dialogue can be used to promote peace.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the natural environment and use their knowledge to solve environmental problems. They may work for government agencies, private companies, or non-profit organizations. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as an Environmental Scientist, including an understanding of the major environmental challenges facing the planet, such as climate change, pollution, and deforestation.
Business Ethicist
Business Ethicist
Business Ethicists advise businesses on how to behave ethically. They may work for a variety of organizations, such as corporations, consulting firms, and government agencies. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Business Ethicist, including an understanding of the different ethical issues that businesses face, and the different strategies that businesses can use to behave ethically.
International Development Specialist
International Development Specialist
International Development Specialists work to improve the lives of people in developing countries. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or international organizations. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as an International Development Specialist, including an understanding of the different challenges facing developing countries, and the different strategies that can be used to promote sustainable development.
Community Organizer
Community Organizer
Community Organizers work to empower communities to solve their own problems. They may work for a variety of organizations, such as non-profit organizations, government agencies, and labor unions. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Community Organizer, including an understanding of the different ways to organize people for action, and the different strategies that can be used to create lasting change.
Religious Leader
Religious Leader
Religious Leaders provide spiritual guidance and support to their communities. They may work in a variety of settings, such as churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Religious Leader, including an understanding of the different world religions, and the different ways that religion can be used to promote peace and justice.
Public Policy Analyst
Public Policy Analyst
Public Policy Analysts study public policy issues and make recommendations for policy changes. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or think tanks. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Public Policy Analyst, including an understanding of the different ways to analyze public policy issues, and the different strategies that can be used to influence public policy.
Human Rights Lawyer
Human Rights Lawyer
Human Rights Lawyers advocate for the protection and promotion of human rights. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or international organizations. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Human Rights Lawyer, including an understanding of the different human rights that are recognized by international law, and the different strategies that can be used to protect and promote human rights.
Peacebuilder
Peacebuilder
Peacebuilders work to prevent and resolve conflict, and to build peace in post-conflict societies. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or international organizations. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Peacebuilder, including an understanding of the different causes of conflict, and the different strategies that can be used to resolve conflict.
Social Worker
Social Worker
Social Workers help people to mengatasi challenges in their lives, such as poverty, addiction, and mental illness. They may work in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, and social service agencies. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Social Worker, including an understanding of the different social problems that people face, and the different strategies that can be used to help people overcome these problems.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Managers lead and manage non-profit organizations. They may work for a variety of organizations, such as social service agencies, environmental organizations, and arts organizations. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Nonprofit Manager, including an understanding of the different types of non-profit organizations, and the different challenges that non-profit managers face.
Journalist
Journalist
Journalists report on current events and issues. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or television stations. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Journalist, including an understanding of the different types of journalism, and the different ethical issues that journalists face.
Teacher
Teacher
Teachers help students to learn and grow. They may work in a variety of settings, such as schools, colleges, and universities. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Teacher, including an understanding of the different ways to teach, and the different ethical issues that teachers face.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/fhx92r/ethics
Reading list
We've selected ten books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Ethics in Action.
Presents the key findings of the Ethics in Action initiative, a series of meetings held at the Vatican in 2016. It features essays from leading religious figures, philosophers, scholars, and scientists, and discusses the perspectives of some of the world's great traditions on our world's most pressing challenges.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical dimensions of sustainable development. It explores the concept of sustainability, the ethical principles that underpin it, and the challenges and opportunities for achieving a sustainable future.
Classic work on virtue ethics. It argues that virtue is the central concept in ethics, and that it is the key to understanding the good life.
Presents the Global Ethic, a set of principles that are common to all major religions. It argues that these principles can be used to guide our actions in the world.
Presents the Earth Charter, a global declaration of ethical principles for sustainable development. It valuable resource for anyone working on issues of environmental justice and sustainability.
Presents the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a set of 17 goals that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.
Save
Presents the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs were a set of 8 goals that aimed to improve the lives of the world's poorest people.
Explores the ethical challenges posed by climate change. It argues that climate change moral issue, and that we have a responsibility to take action to mitigate its effects.
Explores the ethical challenges posed by poverty. It argues that poverty violation of human rights, and that we have a responsibility to alleviate it.
Save
Explores the ethical challenges posed by war and violence. It argues that peace moral imperative, and that we have a responsibility to work for it.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/fhx92r/ethics
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Effort
2 to 4 hours per week for 10 weeks
Level
Intermediate
Via
edX
Institution
SDG Academy
Instructors
Dr. William Vendley
Jeffrey D. Sachs
Language
English
Transcripts
English
Español
Pусский
Good to know
Provides guidance on how religious, ethical, and cultural perspectives contribute to sustainable development efforts
Builds a foundation in virtue ethics and its applications across various religious and philosophical traditions
Taught by Jeffrey D. Sachs and Dr. William Vendley, recognized experts in sustainable development and global issues
Case studies and reflections from individuals and organizations actively engaged in ethical action provide real-world examples
Requires familiarity with basic concepts of ethics, religion, and sustainable development
May not be suitable for learners seeking a purely technical or scientific approach to sustainable development
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