Capitalism and Compassion: Begin a Journey to the Soul of Business

In recent years, there has been much talk about Capitalism evolving into a model of economy wherein corporations ensure that communitarian and people oriented business models are embraced so that profit is not the only criterion or reason why they are in business. In other words, many prominent business leaders and experts are calling for Capitalism to move beyond the "Profit at all costs" paradigm and into a kinder and gentler variety that can place communities and people above the...
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In recent years, there has been much talk about Capitalism evolving into a model of economy wherein corporations ensure that communitarian and people oriented business models are embraced so that profit is not the only criterion or reason why they are in business. In other words, many prominent business leaders and experts are calling for Capitalism to move beyond the "Profit at all costs" paradigm and into a kinder and gentler variety that can place communities and people above the mindless pursuit of profit.

The true purpose of business is to uplift the experience of existing. It is not to make owners wealthy. It is not to produce ever-cheaper goods and services. Compassionate capitalism is an economic system meant to make a lot of money, help a lot of people, and have a lot of fun. It is not to keep an avaricious and toxic economic model afloat. And it is certainly not (with no apology to Milton Friedman) to make a profit.
From our perspective, business is nothing less than a spiritual discipline, it requires the same integrity, commitment, intentionality, courage, discipline, and compassion as any other spiritual discipline. Spiritual disciplines honor life, in all its forms, as having innate and intrinsic value simply because it exists. It's the honoring of this value--the ennobling of this value--that is called forth when we approach business as a spiritual undertaking. It is the compassionate thing to do.