Colosi participating in diocese’s “Care for Creation” series

Dr. Peter Colosi, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy, will discuss Catholic social teaching as it relates to the economy and consumption as a featured speaker in the Diocese of Providence’s “Care for Creation” series. “Ethical Consumption” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence.

How do contemporary economic and retail systems encourage over-consumption, often at the expense of people, the planet and our own spiritual well-being? How can we become smarter, ethical participants in our economy?

“Surprising as it may sound, theology and economics are – or should be – related,” Colosi said. “Catholic social teaching has wisdom for Catholics – and all people of good will – to help us fulfill the divine command to love our neighbor even while participating in the market.”

The concept of ethical consumption is also present in Colosi’s current coursework. “I am teaching Philosophy of the Human Person, in which we talk about the dignity of all people and what it means to respect that dignity,” he said. “One of the ideas is that people should never treat each other as a means to an end, or as objects to use. One thing I want to touch on is whether our consumeristic society has taught us that even we ourselves are commodities to be thought of as a means to an end.”

The “Care for Creation” series will conclude on Thursday, Oct. 24 with an exploration of how climate change is impacting under-served communities in urban centers across Rhode Island. To learn more, visit discovercatholicfaith.org.