Maurice O’Shannassy Explores Economics, Science and the Search for Truth

Students, staff and guests gathered at Campion College recently for a wide-ranging lecture by economist and former fund manager Maurice O’Shannassy, who reflected on two subjects that have shaped much of his professional and intellectual life: the foundations of modern economics and the relationship between science and belief in God.

Drawing on a career spanning global finance and investment, Mr O’Shannassy traced his growing interest in economic theory back to his early years at the Australian Treasury. He reflected on major events including the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Asian financial crisis and the Global Financial Crisis, arguing that these experiences prompted him to question many of the assumptions underpinning contemporary economic systems.

Mr O’Shannassy also discussed his ongoing work on a multi-volume study of economics, finance and banking, which seeks to examine how monetary systems function and how economic theory has developed over time.

The second half of the lecture turned to questions of science, evolution and the existence of God. Drawing on decades of reading across mathematics, biology, physics and philosophy, Mr O’Shannassy outlined his view that scientific inquiry raises important questions about the nature of reality and the origins of life.

A lively question-and-answer session followed, with students engaging Mr O’Shannassy on topics including free markets, government debt, cryptocurrency and the future of global finance.

See below for photos from the night.