Event Details - Charles Dowd Lecture

In order to function smoothly, all societal systems need to encourage certain values in their citizens.  Professor Kasser will explain how the American form of corporation capitalism, with its focus on self-interest, competition, consumerism, and financial profit, emphasizes the materialistic, self-enhancing values that studies have shown are one aspect of the human value system.  He will then review research showing that, to the extent individuals and cultures emphasize these materialistic, self-enhancing values, lower well-being, less pro-social behavior, and more ecological damage occur.  Given these problems, the talk will conclude with discussion of ways to dampen the excesses of American corporate capitalism and pursue healthier alternatives.

Tim Kasser is Professor of Psychology at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.  He has written numerous scientific articles and book chapters on materialism, values, ecological sustainability and quality of life, among other topics.