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
Professor Robert George Addresses Human Rights in Conversation with Program Director William Saunders During Kickoff Event
More than 80 students, faculty, and members of the local community gathered for a discussion of human rights and religious liberty with Robert George, Princeton University’s McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at The Catholic University of America’s Heritage Hall.
The Role of the Laity in Healing the Church
On February 6, 2019, The Catholic University of America hosted a day of talks, which constituted the second of a series of planned conferences on the Church’s current crisis.
Snapshots of Ordinary Time
In recent days, a quirky fad has gone viral: The “Ten Year Challenge.” Thousands of people, from celebrities to those unknown, are posting current photographs of themselves on social media next to their photos from a decade past. In part, this is entertainment and a chance to see – with pleasure or dismay – the ways in which a decade of life has wrought changes reflected in the faces looking back from the screen.
Welcome to Ordinary Time!
“Ordinary time.” This is a season of the year – and season of life -- that is deeply, drearily underrated.
What does ‘for the life and health of the mother’ mean in abortion law?
New York’s newly-signed abortion law permits abortion for any reason up until the 24th week of a pregnancy, and then afterwards in cases to protect the “life and health” of the mother, but what does this mean?
IHE Fellows in Atlanta at the Allied Social Sciences Association in January
On January 5, three IHE fellows (Andy Yuengert, Catherine Pakaluk, and Mary Hirschfeld) presented recent research in a paper session at the annual meetings of the Allied Social Sciences Association in Atlanta. The well-attended session, “Explorations in Christian Thought and Economic Analysis,” was organized by Andy Yuengert, and sponsored by the Association of Christian Economists.
The Humanity of Espionage
Join moderator Nicholas Dujmovic (Assistant Professor of Politics and the Director of The Catholic University of America’s Program in Intelligence Studies) and panelists John Bennett (former Director of the National Clandestine Service at the Central Intelligence Agency), Juan Cruz (former career CIA operations and case officer), Gil Kindelan (retired case officer with 34 years of government service in the US Army and the CIA), and Scotty Skotzko (40 years as a CIA operations officer) for a great discussion.
Aristopopulism: A Political Proposal for America
Delivered by Patrick Deneen
In a liberal democratic age, two words are widely used to contrast what liberal democracy is not: aristocracy and populism. Yet, we have both political factions emerging today in new and caustic forms that pit an increasingly corrupt elite against an increasingly coarse and angry populace. Both are morally adrift and engaged in politics as an assertion of power, albeit for different reasons.
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.
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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