"The reconnection of society, economy and ethics is a project we cannot postpone"

The words of Michael D. Higgins urge a fundamental reassessment of how society operates. Over recent decades, rapid economic development and technological progress have often been pursued without sufficient regard for social well-being or moral considerations. As wealth increases and technological capabilities expand, there is an ever-present temptation to evaluate progress solely in terms of material success or efficiency. Yet, when society and the economy become disconnected from ethics, critical issues emerge: inequality deepens, communities fragment, and trust in institutions erodes.

Ethics forms the bedrock of genuine human advancement. It is not solely a matter of individual morality, but woven into how we structure our collective lives, regulating markets, caring for the vulnerable, and stewarding the environment. The artificial separation between what is economically viable and what is ethically right leads to outcomes that undermine the common good. For example, policies designed purely for economic growth can exacerbate climate change or exclude significant segments of the population from prosperity. The consequences are not abstract but play out daily in the erosion of social cohesion and the increase in disenchantment among citizens.

Reconnecting society, economy, and ethics calls for a redefinition of what constitutes progress. It is a call to optimize not simply for GDP or profitability, but for well-being, fairness, and long-term sustainability. This requires deliberate policy choices, corporate responsibility, and civic engagement. Education systems must nurture ethical reasoning as much as vocational skills. Business practices should consider environmental and social impacts alongside financial returns. Policymakers ought to listen to marginalized voices and ensure that growth is inclusive and respects human dignity.

Postponing this project risks deepening rifts and further diminishing trust in the future. Higgins’s words challenge every individual and institution to reexamine priorities, embrace responsibility, and begin weaving together the strands that have been allowed to fray. The urgency is palpable because the costs of inaction continue to mount. Only by reconciling the social, economic, and ethical dimensions can a truly flourishing society arise.