St. Bonaventure University

St. Bonaventure University

Saturday, October 18, 2014

The Globalization of Indifference and the Franciscan Imagination

 This week I was asked to give a lecture to the university community on globalization. I chose to speak about "the globalization of indifference." There are many benefits to globalization, including the ability to transport goods and services and even the most common of our ideas and ideals across borders faster, cheaper and deeper than ever before.

And yet, the volume and velocity of change have psychological effects on groups. And, one of them is the potential for indifference and apathy to become globalized.

After tracing this potential, we look at the elements of a Franciscan imagination. Bill Short's article on a "Franciscan Language for the 21st century" provides a framework for us to consider how a Franciscan way of thinking can challenge a pull back from solidarity at times when traditional borders and boundaries collapse around us.

The students' reaction was positive and supportive. It's one of the great advantages of being on a university campus. The full text has been published at the following website:


https://www.academia.edu/8839118/The_Globalization_of_Indifference_and_the_Franciscan_Imagination

No comments:

Post a Comment