College of Business Administration

“The ultimate purpose of business is not, or should not be, simply to make money. Nor is it merely a system of making and selling things. The promise of business is to increase the general well-being of humankind through service, a creative and ethical philosophy.”

- Hawken, “The Ecology of Commerce,” page 1

1) Do you agree with the above statement? Why or why not?

2) Does your company accomplish what is discussed in the above statement? If so, how?

3) Reviewing the handouts from the US Forest Service (given in class on 9/29), what are your thoughts on the consumption (or overconsumption) of wood and wood products compared with their costs and regrowth rates? Does this mean we highly value or undervalue this natural resource?

4) Can you think of an example where the public has persuaded the government or big business to stop a lucrative activity that would have impacted the environment negatively? What went right in that persuasion, what went wrong?

5) Everything in our society is guided and based on market conditions and prices. Can you put a price on the environment? If so, how much should a forest or a clean lake cost?

6) Do men treat the environment like they treat women?

7) Do men and women treat the environment in the same ways? How does this fit in with the ethic of care?

8) Comment on the following quote:

What is ecologically necessary is also economically sound."

- Ken Conco, “Green Planet Blues,” page 285

9) The article "Ecofeminism and Grass Roots Environmentalism in the United States" outlines an idea of a so-called "Golden Age of Matriarchy" which was peaceful so that people lived in harmony with one another and the environment. Do you think that this was a true reflection of a past society? Do you think that a complete reversal back to this society is necessary? If not, how far do you think we need to reverse in order to achieve an effective balance (if at all)?

10) Women have been taking a more active role in environmental issues like the antitoxics movement. Do you think that the focus on "gender equality and women's issues" will help to resolve some of the conflicts surrounding highly political environmental issues?

11) In the article "Ecofeminism and Grass Roots Environmentalism in the United States" the author writes that the desire for a more sustaining relationship between society and nature is a desire better addressed by spirituality rather than political action. Do you agree? Why or why not?