Ethical Society of Philadelphia
Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia
1906 South Rittenhouse Square, (215) 735-3456, office@phillyethics.org
Welcome!

As Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia, I welcome you to our website!  I invite you to explore it to find out about our programs, community, and historic building on the southwest corner of Rittenhouse Square.  Ethical Humanism, a humanist, religious and educational movement, has nurtured religious humanism and contributed to progressive causes for well over a century.  Founded in 1885 as the Philadelphia Ethical Society, we are a member of the American Ethical Union. Our local organization offers a place where we partner with groups that share our values, such as Amnesty International and Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

At the heart of the Ethical Society is our Sunday morning program that offers inspiration to help us live closer to our ethical ideals.  Only by visiting and getting to know us can you see how we try to honor the worth of every individual, nurture human relationships and ethical community, and build social justice.

Join us in community, or contact me individually:
LeaderHugh@phillyethics.org
or 301-580-1481

Sincerely, Hugh Taft-Morales
Leader, Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia

Leader Hugh Taft-Morales

 
What's New

Second Annual One-Act Play Contest

Deadline for submissions: May 3. For details of this contest, click here

May Newsletter

The May issue of our newsletter, Ethical Views is now online. Read it for a brief description of our upcoming schedule of Sunday programs. Also in this issue:
  • EHSoP Leader Hugh Taft-Morales calls attention to Ethical Culturists' historic and ongoing role in countering theocrats' misinformation concerning the need for separtion of church and state in our democracy; and
  • Betsy Lightbourn, Chair of the Installation Team, recounts the events of the April 15 installation of our Leader, Hugh Taft-Morales.
Click here to download this newsletter.
(Adobe Acrobat required).

Introduction to Ethical Humanism

Come learn about the history and philosophy of Ethical Humanism on Sunday, May 6 , from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.. Leader Hugh Taft-Morales will offer about a 30-minute presentation followed by reflections from members on what Ethical Humanism means to them. We will then open it up to a lively question and answer period. The evening offers those new to ethical humanism a chance to learn more about it in a relaxed atmosphere. Wine and cheese will be served!

Open to the public. RSVPs appreciated:
leaderhugh@phillyethics.org.

The Day the Universe Changed: A philosophically fun video and discussion series

Come view and discuss a video series by James Burke, The Day the Universe Changed. Burke explores with wit and wisdom links between knowledge and reality.

Join Ethical Culture Leader Hugh Taft- Morales from 7:00 PM on Sunday, May 20 for the ninth installment of this series: “Making Waves: The New Physics - Newton Revised.” Come even if you missed the earlier episodes. Open to the public.

School for Ethics

Worldly Wisdom: Great Books and the Meaning of Life. James Sloan Allen has created a humanist approach to the Great Books. "Worldly wisdom is made up of good ideas and useful humanism that help us understand our lives and give meaning to them in this world." The book, Worldly Wisdom, is a series of commentaries that follow human wisdom from Homer's Iliad to the works of Sartre and Martin Luther King. His focus is the humanist ideas that appear in all these historic writings.

The meetings are planned for the third Tuesday of the month. The next class is Tuesday, May 15 at 7:00 PM. This month's readings are The Arabian Nights and Why We Tell Stories About Spider the Ghanaian folktale. Discussion will be led by Sharon Wallis and David Roberts.

Dates to remember

Sunday, April 29
Rampant Inequality, platform, 11:00 AM

Wednesday, May 2
Education Committee meeting, 6:30 PM
Ethical Action Committee meeting 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 6
End the Death Penalty, platform, 11:00 AM
Introduction to Ethical Humanism, 7:00 PM

Tuesday, May 8
Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty meeting, 7:00 PM

Wednesday, May 9
Finance Committee meeting, 6:30 PM
Community Committee meeting, 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 13
Franklin and Rush: Humane and Progressive Thinking from Philadelphia’s Past, platform, 11:00 AM

Tuesday, May 15
Worldly Wisdom: Arabian Nights & Spider folktale, class 7:00 PM

Wednesday, May 16
Board of Trustees' meeting, 6:30 PM

Sunday, May 20
Meaning of Membership, platform, 11:00 AM
Annual Members' Meeting for Elections and Other Business following platform.
Day the Universe Changed, class. 7:00 PM

Monday, May 21
Politics of Sexual Oppression, guest presentation. 7:00 PM

Wednesday, May 23
Camp Linden Board meeting, 6:30 PM

Thursday, May 24
Amnesty International meeting, 7:00 PM

Sunday, May 27
Members on Why They Are Members, platform, 11:00 AM

Friday, June 1
Execute Art Not People, outdoor activity, film, and panel with film's directors. 6:00 PM

Affiliated with the American Ethical Union

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