HEN632 Buddhist Economics

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2013
Extent and Intensity
0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Tim Crabtree (seminar tutor), Mgr. Zdeňka Lechnerová (deputy)
RNDr. Naděžda Vlašín Johanisová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Bohuslav Binka, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Zdeňka Lechnerová
Supplier department: Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 1. 10. 18:00–19:30 U42, Wed 2. 10. 16:00–17:40 U43, Thu 3. 10. 18:00–20:00 U42, Fri 4. 10. 10:00–16:00 bude_upresneno
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course explores the question – “What would a Buddhist economics look like, and how would it differ from a neo-classical approach?” Mainstream economics assumes that happiness comes from maximising consumption, whereas Buddhism suggests that, beyond a certain point, increasing consumption undermines well-being. The course will draw on E.F. Schumacher’s Small is Beautiful, which contained a famous chapter on the subject. The inquiry will provide a framework for exploring problems in the global food economy, and the practical mechanisms and structures that could be used to develop local food systems that are sustainable, resilient and just. A number of approaches to contemplative inquiry and mindfulness will be introduced, alongside a set of ethical explorations. No prior knowledge of Buddhism is expected. - Understand how the Buddhist notion of happiness has led to the development of new indicators of well-being, including Gross National Happiness in Bhutan. - Apply an understanding of the Buddhist notion of Right Livelihood in the specific context of the local food economy. - Explore the similarities between Buddhist ideas of interconnectedness and modern system theories, and apply such ideas to the development of thriving local food systems.
Syllabus
  • Lectures:
  • 1 Be still and know – mindfulness and contemplative inquiry
  • 2 Comparing Buddhist economics and mainstream neo-classical economics 3 Right Livelihood
  • 4 The modern food system - Buddhist economic and neo-classical economic perspectives
  • 5 Application of a Buddhist approach to the local food sector
Literature
  • Laszlo Zsolnai (eds.) (2011): Ethical Principles and Economic Transformation - A Buddhist Approach. Spinger.
  • Schumacher, E.F. 1973 Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered London: Sphere Books - See chapter on “Buddhist Economics”. Available at: http://neweconomicsinstitute.org/schumacher/buddhist-economics
  • Porritt, J. (2009) The Three 'Rs' - Three fundamental principles should under-pin any approach to food security: resilience, re-solarisation and re-localisation. Resurgence, Issue 257. http://www.resurgence.org/magazine/article2948-the-three-rs.html
  • Crabtree, T., Morgan, K. and Sonnino, R. 2012. Prospects for the Future: Scaling up the Community Food Sector. [Online]. Woodstock: Making Local Food Work. Available at: http://api.ning.com/files/G3ZJNeO5Hoyn*d8ogwwW5ofE8DjfJljkAUjfIQN8QPfvzFkHCAZHAiPAxq
  • Nhat Hanh, Thich. (1990) The Miracle of Mindfulness. Berkeley:Parallax Press. Also see: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/zen-master-thich-nhat-hanh-love-climate-change
  • Conaty, P., Lewis, M. (2012) The Resilience Imperative. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers
Teaching methods
Lectures, class discussion, interactive methods, presentations
Assessment methods
Students will be asked to prepare a group presentation (in powerpoint) applying their learning during the course to the local food sector.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2015.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2013, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2013/HEN632