College of Business Administration

1. Course-wide Question – What is human’s position in relationship to the Earth? Are we part of the nature or not? If we are different from nature, what separates us from the natural? And thus how do we view resources?

2. Throughout the course of human history, how do we evaluate an individual’s worth, or a nation’s wealth? What was the most tangible method or tool that we devised thus far?

3. How do we typically value a product and its worth? What else are not accounted for in this process?

4. Which is more pressing to resolve, in terms of environmental issues: overconsumption or overpopulation? And what are the implications of either perspective?

5. Is overconsumption only applicable to developed nations?

6. Have globalization and specialization contributed to overconsumption?

7. Should developing nations be required to adhere to existing environmental standards of developed nations while industrializing their nations?

8. How does dominion theology contribute to overconsumption? Can you provide examples of other religious beliefs or church doctrines that contribut to overpopulation and/or overconsumption?

9. What is the true economic cost of a product? Can the market implement and factor in the environmental costs in deriving a true cost? How likely is it that the consumer (or market) will accept this cost?

10. Can the market (or invisible hand) alone be fast enough to correct environmental imbalances? If not, what other remedies are available for correcting environmental imbalances?

11. Will technological advancements counteract existing shortfalls? What evidence can you provide for your view?

12. Can business provide convenience to consumers without contributing to overconsumption? If so, provide just one example of how this might come about.

13. Is sustainable development just sustainable economic growth?