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Classes
Ethical development is a lifelong process. To support this development
the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia offers courses for adults and children
which help participants enhance their sense of meaning and purpose in
life and to improve the ethical quality of their relationships with
family, friends, co-workers and the larger community.
We offer the following classes. If you are interested or need
more information, call the Society Office at 215-735-3456. Except for
the Getting to Know Us Social, you must sign-up beforehand for the
courses.
The Ethical Society is part of a 133-year-old Ethical Culture Movement. We are a humanist religious fellowship. This workshop is a chance to delve into that history and philosophy. We attempt to offer the "big picture" of Ethical Humanism and provide opportunities for questions. Interested visitors, newcomers and members are invited to examine our approach to living as we look at our core ideas--the intrinsic worth of every human being, naturalism, nontheism and ethics as a way of life.
Led by Richard Kiniry, Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia.
Scheduled for every other month. Next workshop will be in early May.
Bimonthly--alternating with the "Introduction to Ethical Humanism" workshop--we hold a casual informational event for those who are
curious about the Society and its philosophy. We will discuss the
history of the Ethical Culture Movement and its core principles. Members
will be there to talk about what they get out of the Society and the
leaders of the Society will be present to answer all questions.
Refreshments will be served.
Scheduled for every other month, to alternate with the "Introduction to Ethical Humanism" workshop. Next occurrence will be Friday, April 2 at 7:30 PM.
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.
This class is a chance for members and friends of the Society to read and
discuss those books we meant to read earlier in life while following the
course of humanist thinking through the ages. Another advantage will be the
opportunity to examine our own lives in the presence of ideas from around the
world and through the ages.
This will be a monthly series with participants taking turns in leading the
discussion. Meets on the second Tuesday in the month at 7:30 PM.
In March we will be discussing Rousseau's Emile.
Read as much as you can and come with comments and questions.
Tuesday, April 13, 7:30 PM
In Exploring Felix Adler we will discuss the influences on Adler's philosophy,
his vision for Ethical Culture, as well as his perspective on religion, society,
relationships, and human nature. Readings will be available electronically or in
hard copy at the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia.
* April 19
An overview of the background, influences and philosophy of Felix Adler,
followed by a discussion Adler's address of May 15, 1876 marking the founding
of the New York Society for Ethical Culture.
* May 3
A more detailed discussion of Adler's idealism, including
"the ethical manifold,"
and his ethical commitment to both
"bringing out the best in others and thus in yourself" and
"deed before creed." We will conclude with a discussion of
his essay, "Some Characteristics of the American Ethical Movement," delivered in London, June 7, 1925.
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