It was reported in the Sunday New York Times, February 1st edition that JPMorgan has agreed to pay $99.5 million to settle its portion of an antitrust lawsuit. This past November, JPMorgan also agreed to pay almost $1billion in civil penalties to resolve related claims by regulators in the US and Europe.  My question: Is this considered the "cost of doing business", an ethical framework gone wrong?  Or is anyone at JPMorgan, starting with CEO Jamie Dimon, thinking about their actions and perhaps considering a change in behavior? Mmm...

Although we may not be in the top echelon of the banking industry, every day we are faced with ethical choices and questions, both big and small.  Where does this food come from? Where were my jeans produced? Tell a white lie to protect someone's feelings? Share that juicy bit of gossip? Write a letter to your Senator about your concerns regarding climate change? Adjust the direction of your research because something "feels wrong" about the work?  How much do we owe people outside of "our circle"?  

Our undergradute ethic seminar asks these questions and more.  It helps students to build relationships, investigate ethical problems, share resources, and clarify their personal and vocational principles.  Grappling with questions and concerns in a relaxed atmosphere with peers from around the country and the world is an amazing way of opening up your eyes and mind. Many former seminar students have commented that they valued the opportunity to hear different opinions and new ways of looking at hard questions in an easy-going environment (with dinner!).

If you're not an undergrad, radius offers many programs that foster conversation about critical issues of our day and the choices we make.  From drones to mindfulness to finding meaning in your work to nuclear disarmament to conflict in the Middle East, we're here to create the space for thoughtful conversation.  Please join us this semester!