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The English word economy comes from the ancient Greek word “oikonomia,” which means “management of a household administration.” Oikonomia is broken down into “oikos,” meaning “house,” and “nomos,” meaning “custom” or “law.”
Money is a big part of economies and has been for a long time. Money is a symbol. The goods and services of an economy symbolize cooperation with and dedication to each other.
Change in economies does happen. Commitments, dedication, and loyalties shift. Any pure symbolism or higher law that might have inspired the first coin mint is most likely obscured in modern culture.
What is the stress? What is the hypersensitivity or the carelessness around money management? What’s behind it? What does money mean? Is it possible that what’s behind it is some desire to reconnect with the meaning of money and the meaning of life in the ancient sense of living community and exchange?
William Desmond and Jacob Needleman remind us that money originated as a symbol of man’s soul. It symbolizes the principle of exchange with some higher force of life, such as a deity. For modern peoples, there is also a faith process going on with respect to money and economies. The primary belief is that money will work.
IN CONTEXT
A $20 bill is just a piece of paper. However, if there is belief in the symbolism of the bill, it will have meaning and the ability to buy you a breakfast for two. Because of this belief, you are fed, and your body is given food to carry out its duties in life.
Most of us interact with a variety of different peoples and cultures every day. All the players on the field of this modern global economy are wearing jerseys of every color, every faith, every religion, and every language. In a large sense, recent nondiscrimination laws have made this game possible. Recognizing different religions in the workplace is almost commonplace now. You can see it in a business that reserves a room for lunchtime prayer or meditation.
Hospitals recognize the variety of religious needs of their patients and their families. They offer not only a Christian prayer facility but others as well. This is a trickling down of international business behavior and evolving norms and customs. Negotiating with different cultures and religious preferences requires a kind of sensitivity to the associated duties and laws of different religions.
The laws that were handed down and transmitted from generation to generation are still shaping us. Perhaps the recognition of prayer rooms in hospitals and the workplace, the holidays for many different religions, and cafeterias that accommodate religious dietary restrictions and needs—aren’t these all examples of economies weaving and exchanging with religious values in one way or another?
Perhaps these are all elements of a sensitive and creative exchange with the world and its people. As Emerson said, a creative economy is the fuel of magnificence. The new age brings new qualities into request. The virtues of pirates gave way to those of planters, merchants, senators, and scholars.
Source: THIS TUTORIAL WAS AUTHORED BY TED FAIRCHILD FOR SOPHIA LEARNING. Please see our Terms of Use.
