Economicology : The Eleventh Commandment

Peter M. Wege coined the term "Economicology" in his book Economicology: The Eleventh Commandment. A combination of economics and ecology, it is a basic requirement for achieving sustainability. Wege identifies the six E's of our future: Economics, Environment, Ecology, Ethics, Empathy and Education. This work provides the reader with a breadth and a diversity of critical ideas and concepts drawn from the author's life experience as well as from important and valued writings of contemporary and historic individuals. The topics range from industrial ecology and solar power to population control and human consumption patterns.

An author, ecologist, educator, environmentalist, father, futurist, grandfather, industrialist, innovator, philanthropist, pilot, renaissance man.

Peter Melvin Wege, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, received a traditional Catholic School elementary education and later attended Brown Military Academy and Lake Forest Academy. In 1940 Peter began studies in Industrial Design at the University of Michigan's School of Architecture.

While pursuing his education, Peter was called to duty in the armed services, winning his wings as flight pilot at Eagle Pass, Texas in 1943. Upon returning to Grand Rapids after the war, Peter began working at Metal Office Furniture Company, a company founded by his father Peter Martin Wege, which later grew to become the largest office furniture manufacturing company in the world, known today as Steelcase, Inc.

It was during Peter's service in WWII that he became alarmed at the hazards of pollution and the harmful effects to the environment. He began working as an industrialist, philanthropist, ecologist and environmentalist while he was a young father in his 30's. His many accomplishments and affiliations over the years include: Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Franciscan Life Process Center, Chairman Emeritus of the National Pollution Prevention Center at the University of Michigan, Founder and Present Trustee of the Center for Environmental Study, Past President and Honorary Board Member of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Past President of the Board of Trustees of St. Mary's Hospital, Past Chairman and Present Trustee for the Aquinas College Board of Trustees, Vice Chairman of the Board of Steelcase, Inc., Trustee of the Steelcase Foundation, and President of the Wege Foundation.