Collegium Institute and the Penn Initiative for the Study of Markets (PISM) in the Department of Economics invite you to apply to the Spring 2025 Philosophy of Finance fellowship “Faith and Prosperity: Exploring the Interconnections Between Religion, Economic Growth, and Financial Practices.” This six-session seminar explores the intricate and multifaceted relationship between religion, economics, and finance, offering participants a unique lens to analyze how these domains shape and influence one another. The seminar begins by addressing the historical evolution of said concepts. The seminar will then delve into religion from an economic and financial perspective, starting with Larry Iannaccone’s “club goods” model. We will examine the role of tithing, almsgiving, and other financial practices as mechanisms for sustaining religious communities and fostering social cohesion. The seminar will also examine empirical studies assessing the relationship between religion, religiosity, and various measures of economic productivity. What is the future of religion in a globalized, technologically advancing world? How can religious traditions inform ethical financial practices and offer frameworks for addressing modern challenges like inequality and environmental sustainability? Sessions will be facilitated by Dr. Matthew O’Brien and Dr. Fernando Arteaga.
Dr. O’Brien is the President and Chief Investment Officer of O’Brien Greene & Co., an investment management firm outside Philadelphia. He received his A.B. in Philosophy at Princeton University and his M.A./Ph.D in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin and serves on the Executive Committee of the American Philosophical Association as well as on the Board of the Collegium Institute.
Dr. Arteaga serves as the Academic Director of the Penn Initiative for the Study of Markets at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Economics, where he is also a Senior Fellow. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Dr. Arteaga is a board member of the Mexican Economic History Association and has published his research on the economic history of the Spanish Empire.
Dates: Fridays, 3:00pm-4:00pm
January 31: Historical Foundations of Religion, Economics, and Finance
February 7: Economic and Financial Perspectives on Religion
February 21: Religion as a Platform: Purpose, Community, and Financial Dynamics
March 21: Religion, Belief, and Economic Growth
April 4: Political Economy of Religious Institutions
April 25: The Future of Religion, Economics, and Finance in a Globalized World
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Please direct any questions to Esther Lee (estmlee@sas.upenn.edu).