This paperback is based on a 2010 Mind and Life Institute conference which took place in Zurich, Switzerland, and set out to discover the viability of a revised economic model based on compassion and altruism rather than on competition. In the foreword, His Holiness the Dalai Lama states:
"Economics needs to broaden its horizons. Questions of fairness and more equitable distribution, as well as larger social and environmental impacts, need to be taken into account."
The dialogues are based on 14 lectures. We found these particularly interesting:
• William Harbaugh on "Why People Give to Charity."
• Richard Layard on "The Economics of Happiness."
• Tania Singer on "Empathy and the Interoceptive Cortex."
• Antoinette Hunziker-Ebneter on "Profit with a Purpose."
• William George on "Compassionate Leadership."
Some other topics discussed are the egoism-altruism debate, the question of what can microfinance do, and first thoughts toward a Buddhist Economics.
Caring Economics challenges us to think spiritually about applying altruism and compassion to the economy as we know it.
