September 14-20
- Kimberly Blough
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
PLATFORM ANNOUNCEMENT
Sunday, September 14th
`11 a.m.
Welcome back!
In person this week
(or join via Zoom here)
Deed Before Creed
Philip Lindsay
Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society
The first Society for Ethical Culture was created in New York in 1876, and its leaders focused on concrete projects to improve the lives of the most vulnerable. Members established the first free kindergarten in the city, created the Visiting Nurse Service, built schools and job-training centers, advocated for the abolition of child labor and launched ambitious civics programs like the Encampment for Citizenship. In Philadelphia the society established Camp Linden, a summer-camp for kids from the city to learn the wonders of nature and swimming. The purpose of an Ethical Society is to cultivate a place where we can continue the work of building a better culture.
How can this history of “Deed Before Creed” inspire us as we face serious, even terrifying challenges as a people? How can we lean into community and solidarity this Fall? Join new Leader Philip Lindsay as he explains why he finds Deed Before Creed such a compelling call to action and introduces our Fall 2025 lineup of activities focused on action. After the talk, participants will join breakout groups and discuss upcoming events and programming in three key areas: civics and democracy, arts and music, and environmental education.
Upcoming PES Events
1) Saturday, September 20, 1:00 PM - The Ethics of Star Trek
Episode viewing and discussion
Please join Philadelphia Ethical Society Trustee and American Ethical Union Vice President Stan Horwitz to watch and discuss season 3, episode 15 of Star Trek: The Original Series entitled “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield.” This episode touches on the issue of racism in our society. Let’s discuss it. This event is free. Registration is not required. Feel free to bring a small snack and/or nonalcoholic beverage to share. We will hold this event in the main room on the first floor.
2) Saturday, September 20, 3:00 PM - Think Ethics Seminar
Details to be announced!
3) Sunday, September 21, 3:00 PM - The Art of Living: Ancient Wisdom for a Modern Life
Join us at the Philadelphia Ethical Society for a session with Dr. Amjol Shrestha of Rowan University as we explore how ancient philosophies can guide us in navigating today’s world. This session continues our study of Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers by Massimo Pigliucci, Gregory Lopez, and Meredith Alexander Kunz. The book draws on the wisdom of thirteen philosophers from Ancient Greece and Rome, blending insights from their lives with practical teachings and exercises for creating a more meaningful life.
This month we will continue “The Port of Doubt” with Protagoras. Chapter 8 is called, “Practice Relativism with Protagoras”. Protagoras was born in Abdera, in Thrace around 490 BCE. The details of his early life are a mystery, but a few stories offer clues. We know students sought after his ‘Sophistry’ education because learning good arguments could advance their careers in politics. Plato, on the other hand, disliked Sophists while not totally rejecting Protagoras himself. According to Plato, the Sophists were not doing real philosophy. For a high fee, Sophists taught rhetorical skills aimed at personal advantage—what we nowadays in fact call sophistry (or, with a bit of a more positive spin, lawyering). In this session, we will focus on Protagoras’ three main concerns: 1) the study of the meaning of words (meaning right speech); 2) the notion that man is the measure of all things; and 3) agnosticism about the gods and general skepticism of religion.
In general, our meetings will be divided into two parts. The first part I will briefly review their theoretical arguments of the thinkers. The next part will involve group work. Our authors have provided various sets of exercises to practice.
One copy of the book will be provided to be purchased. You can also purchase the book via Amazon here. Also Please see the video of the authors discussing their new book with Professor Gregory Sadler.
Contact Julia if you would like to be on the mailing list for the Ethical Action Committee. |
PES Community Activities If you are interested in participating in any of the following events or would like to suggest ideas for future events, email Julia at community@phillyethics.org
(1) Ethical Movie Nights - IN PERSON
(2) PES Field Trip to SE Asian Market – IN PERSON
(3) Nature walk– IN PERSON |
OTHER Ethical Action Events This week
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