Theology, Space, and Contemplation
We are joined by William (Bill) Wittland, a 2022-23 fellow with Notre Dame’s Inspired Leadership Initiative. As their mission states, the ILI is a program “...for accomplished individuals who wish to discover, discern, and design who they want to be in the next phase of their lives to facilitate emergence as a renewed and richly prepared force for good in their communities and beyond.” “Accomplished” barely begins to describe Bill’s rich life experiences.
The Ethics at Work Podcast is edited and produced by Nat Todaro and Megan Levis.
Listen to the Episode
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 8:00 am
Join us Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 8:00am ET, when we will talk with William (Bill) Wittland, a 2022-23 fellow with Notre Dame’s Inspired Leadership Initiative. As their mission states, the ILI is a program “…for accomplished individuals who wish to discover, discern, and design who they want to be in the next phase of their lives to facilitate emergence as a renewed and richly prepared force for good in their communities and beyond,” and “accomplished” barely begins to describe Bill’s rich life experiences.
After serving as a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan for nearly ten years – doing parish ministry, criminal justice work, social justice advocacy, and speaking and publishing – he transitioned to a career in business marketing communications. Beginning as an agency copywriter, he eventually became a senior leader and partner at a succession of agencies serving North American and global clients. For the past 15 years, Mr. Wittland has led Vox Strategic, a firm he launched as a brand communications and product development consultancy. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Legal Assistance Center, the Empowerment Institute, and is the Communications Officer for Design at Business, a global association promoting innovation through Design Thinking.
In this episode, we ask Bill to share the unique perspective he gained while at the Notre Dame. Covering topics ranging from the impressive work ethic of his undergraduate classmates, to the keen observations he’s made about the places and social situations where college students choose to study, Bill offers his surprising insights about work, culture, and the future of office design. As always, the hosts even trick Bill into thinking aloud about some of their favorite topics: religion and theology, the philosophy of Aristotle, and emerging (and reemerging) technologies.
The Ethics at Work podcast is edited and produced by Nat Todaro and Megan Levis. To learn more about the ethics at work project you can find us at ethicsatwork.nd.edu.
Register below to receive emails from the Ethics at Work team each time a new episode is released.
View EventMeet the Speaker: Bill Wittland
Bill Wittland has enjoyed an exceptionally diverse and exceedingly rewarding career. He served as a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan for nearly ten years, doing parish ministry, criminal justice work, social justice advocacy, and speaking and publishing activity. He transitioned to a career in business marketing communications, beginning as an agency copywriter and becoming a senior leader and partner at a succession of agencies serving North American and global clients. For the past 15 years, Mr. Wittland has led Vox Strategic, a firm he launched as a brand communications and product development consultancy. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Legal Assistance Center, the Empowerment Institute, and is the Communications Officer for Design at Business, a global association promoting innovation through Design Thinking.
Blaschko on the Active vs. Contemplative Work Life
In this video, Prof. Paul Blaschko (Philosophy, University of Notre Dame) looks at how thinking about our work lives in terms of the “active vs. contemplative” debate in the history of philosophy can illuminate hard practical decisions we might face.
Action vs. Contemplation, a Philosophical Perspective from MLK Jr.
In this video, Professor Paul Blaschko from the University of Notre Dame he delves into one of the oldest debates in philosophical history: which is superior, the active life (vita activa) or the contemplative life (vita contemplativa)? Professor Blaschko navigates the nuances of this profound discussion through the lens of Martin Luther King Jr., an emblematic figure whose life’s work presents an intriguing intersection of action and contemplation. Drawing from King’s philosophical underpinnings, Blaschko seeks to unravel how individuals can strive for a balance between activity and contemplation while navigating complex political realities that often demand immediate action and engagement.
By bridging the ancient wisdom with contemporary realities, this video provides rich insights into the ongoing search for the ‘good life.’ It encourages viewers to reconsider their perspectives on the active and contemplative facets of life, shedding light on how both elements can coexist and enrich our pursuit of a meaningful existence.