The Institute for Human Ecology
Human flourishing illuminated by Catholic social doctrine.
Freedom
The foundation of human flourishing.
Family
The fundamental social unit of a healthy, functioning society.
Economy
The intersection of free enterprise and ingenuity ordered towards human flourishing.
Culture
The driving force behind the way we form human relationships.
Learn more about our Master of Arts in Human Rights Program
Latest News
A Meaningful Life
For years I have taught The Apology in my introductory philosophy class. Every year, some students hate Socrates. One year, one of my students found Socrates particularly annoying. As we were working through the text, she slammed her book down in frustration.
Only by returning to the Faith can we truly rebuild Notre Dame
As the spire cracked and buckled, millions of us felt civilization trembling. But trembling at what? At the loss of God? At the sudden recognition that, for all our progressive confidence, deep down everyone knows that Western civilization lacks the philosophical and religious principles that once made such a structure possible in the first place?
Washington Insider – June 2019
In his column, William Saunders, JD, discusses The March for Life, the President, and Executive Branch Developments; The Supreme Court and Other Judicial Matters; State Developments; and, Other Developments: Human Rights and Abortion.
Teaching Protection of Human Rights
Witnessing Discipleship of Mercy and Love
William Saunders, JD, of The Catholic University of America's Institute of Human Ecology discusses the new Master of Arts in Human Rights program in an interview with Relevant Radio.
Love and Light: Reflections on the Meaning of Notre Dame
I suppose it’s a bit preposterous for me to feel a deep personal connection with Notre-Dame. I’ve been there maybe a dozen times during brief Paris sojourns over the past decade. Hardly exceptional compared with the experience of the legions of faithful who worshipped there regularly, or of the millions of Parisians and French who learned the moods of Notre Dame as they passed by on vacations or just going about their daily business over the years.
Catholic University Begins Master’s Program in Human Rights
A new program in human rights at the Catholic University of America promises to help ensure a "Catholic voice" present in rights discussions.
International Symposium on the Aesthetic Dimensions of Science
How do aesthetic factors such as beauty, awe, and wonder shape the practice of science? Are such experiences help or hindrance to scientific progress? And do they vary across disciplines and national cultures?
Civitas Dei Summer Fellowship:
The Person, the Polis, and the Search for Happiness
The week-long seminar will introduce students to foundational themes in the natural tradition.
Get our Email Updates
Ideas, news, and event invitations, delivered to your inbox.
Featured Fellows
Reinhard Huetter, Ph.D.
Ordinary Professor of Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology, The Catholic University of America
Expertise: Theological Anthropology, Systematic Theology, Thomistic Thought
Beatriz Lopez-Bonetti
Media Fellow for The Institute for Human Ecology
Director of Public Relations for the Busch School of Business and Economics.
V. Bradley Lewis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Philosophy, The Catholic University of America
Expertise: Political Philosophy, Jurisprudence, Ethics
Maximilian B. Torres, Jr. Ph.D., J.D.
Centesimus Annus Della Ratta Family Endowed Professor and Clinical Associate Professor of Business, The Catholic University of America
Expertise: Virtue Ethics in Business, Ethical Decision-Making in Organizations, Catholic Social TeachingA Catechism for Business
A Catechism for Business draws together the Church’s social doctrine on business, organized by topic and question. It serves as a reference guide for Catholic business leaders who wish to deepen their faith and grow in their understanding of Catholic social doctrine as applied to business.
“A Catechism for Business fills a critical need in today’s complex world, where moral answers to questions are not always clear-cut. This well-organized and concise book is an absolute must for business people and policy makers ‘in the trenches’ as well as for academics, and even theologians focused on the common good.”
– Luanne Zurlo, Founder and former President and Executive Director, WorldFund