Seven Pillars Institute
Encyclopedia
Seven Pillars Institute for Global Finance and Ethics is an independent not-for-profit think tank
based in Lawrence, Kansas
. Founded in 2010 by Dr. Kara Tan Bhala, the Institute seeks to "highlight and analyze issues of moral philosophy in global financial markets with a view to enhancing ethical practice and policy." The Institute is the thinking space for new theories and practices that might synthesize ethics
with finance
. By highlighting, analyzing, and disseminating its research into the public sphere, the Institute hopes to generate awareness and debate on moral issues in finance.
Seven Pillars Institute is unique in its focus on financial ethics in that no other American
institution is devoted to its study. As finance is pervasive across a functioning economy, the scope of the Institute's research extends across a wide range of organizations - private enterprises, non-profits, government, and international organizations. The Institute's investigations and research are not limited to the United States.
Dr. Tan Bhala serves as President of the Institute. She is a lecturer in finance at the University of Kansas
, where she also received her PhD in Philosophy
. Dr. Tan Bhala worked for twenty-three years in international finance, mostly on Wall Street
and nine as a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch
. Dr. Tan Bhala has published extensively and has lived and worked in London, Oxford, Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, and Washington, D.C.
The Institute publishes an online dictionary of ethical and financial terms, case studies in financial ethics from around the world, and a review of topics in ethics under the rubric of "Ethics 101". Additionally, the Institute accepts submissions for its journal, Moral Cents, which it publishes on a biannual basis.
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
based in Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
. Founded in 2010 by Dr. Kara Tan Bhala, the Institute seeks to "highlight and analyze issues of moral philosophy in global financial markets with a view to enhancing ethical practice and policy." The Institute is the thinking space for new theories and practices that might synthesize ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
with finance
Finance
"Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created...
. By highlighting, analyzing, and disseminating its research into the public sphere, the Institute hopes to generate awareness and debate on moral issues in finance.
Seven Pillars Institute is unique in its focus on financial ethics in that no other American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
institution is devoted to its study. As finance is pervasive across a functioning economy, the scope of the Institute's research extends across a wide range of organizations - private enterprises, non-profits, government, and international organizations. The Institute's investigations and research are not limited to the United States.
Dr. Tan Bhala serves as President of the Institute. She is a lecturer in finance at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
, where she also received her PhD in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. Dr. Tan Bhala worked for twenty-three years in international finance, mostly on Wall Street
Wall Street
Wall Street refers to the financial district of New York City, named after and centered on the eight-block-long street running from Broadway to South Street on the East River in Lower Manhattan. Over time, the term has become a metonym for the financial markets of the United States as a whole, or...
and nine as a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch is the wealth management division of Bank of America. With over 15,000 financial advisors and $2.2 trillion in client assets it is the world's largest brokerage. Formerly known as Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., prior to 2009 the firm was publicly owned and traded on the New York...
. Dr. Tan Bhala has published extensively and has lived and worked in London, Oxford, Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, and Washington, D.C.
The Institute publishes an online dictionary of ethical and financial terms, case studies in financial ethics from around the world, and a review of topics in ethics under the rubric of "Ethics 101". Additionally, the Institute accepts submissions for its journal, Moral Cents, which it publishes on a biannual basis.