The reformation of economic thought - Collaboration of EUR, VU and TU|K

These themes are given a new layer of meaning in this broad-based interdisciplinary research that touches directly on the foundations, design and operating principles of a humane and sustainable economy. Policy aimed at change requires vision, strategy, goals and thus choices, which in turn require a practical and moral framework. This research can provide new insights into the foundations on which that house of the future can be built.

The research consists of two parts: 'From Calvin to Comrie: Reformation and Further Reformation on Economics' and 'From Green to Gold Sword: Réveil and Neo-Calvinism on Economics'. It will be performed by Dr. Joost Hengstmengel, on behalf of the VU and Drs. Wilco de Vries, on behalf of the TUK and researchers to be appointed at EUR.
They are supported in their work by Prof.dr. Cornelis van der Kooi (EUR) and Prof.dr. George Harinck / Prof. dr. Dr. A.L.Th de Bruijne (TUK). Institutes involved: Erasmus Economics and Theology Institute (EETI, EUR), Neo-Calvinism Research Institute (NRI, TUK) and the Faculty of Religion and Theology (FRT, VU), which aims to boost research into neo-Calvinism. The project has a duration of four years.

Background

The combination of economics and theology may not be immediately obvious. Until a few centuries ago, however, these disciplines were closely linked. In recent decades, economics has broadened its field of view considerably. Neglected ties to sociology, psychology and law have been revived. New forms of interdisciplinarity took shape, for example with biology and brain science. A new dialogue has also arisen with theology.

The major global issues of our time – climate crisis, increasing social inequality, depletion of the ecosystem – will not disappear with a large financial injection. This also requires reflection on fundamental norms and values, on what we consider to be the good life. The economy is a man-made system. It follows that this system is not autonomous, that it can be adapted and that it can be 'rewritten'. Contributing to this innovative reassessment is also the explicit aim of this study.

Cornelis van der Kooi: “This project is about what drives us, the background story from which ideas and concepts in our economic activities come from. What such a liveable and sustainable world of tomorrow will look like depends on two things. Technology, what we can do, and the story about people and the world that shapes our values ​​and guides our actions. Pumping a lot of money into where things are going wrong is not enough – these issues require a fundamental answer with a long-term perspective and that is what this research wants to contribute to.”

Pim Boven: “We are very pleased with the collaboration between these three universities. As a theological university, we believe it is important to connect our discipline with other scientific fields. Theology and ethics have played an important role in the development of economics. With this research, we want to bring together the lines of force from contributions from the Protestant tradition and make this field more widely accessible.”