Wendy Roth Professor of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania An estimated 15% of all U.S. adults—approximately 30 million people—have taken genetic ancestry tests. Roth, author of Race Migrations: Latinos and the Cultural Transformation of Race, explains how such tests influence people’s perceptions of their ethnic and racial identities. Research demonstrates that people pick and choose new [...]

Hugh Taft-Morales Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society From ancient Egypt to modern Halloween, humans have told stories about spirits that haunt our houses and fill our imaginations. Some, like Casper, are friendly and fun. Others threaten and terrorize. Why are ghosts so ubiquitous in culture? What purpose do they serve in our society and in our [...]

Lisa Servon University of Pennsylvania Nearly 28% of Americans have no bank account or use services such as payday lenders, pawn shops and check cashers, in addition to banks. Much energy has been expended trying to get these people to use banks exclusively without first understanding why they make the choices they do. Servon, chair [...]

Jim MacMillan Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting Can changing the way journalists and news organizations report on gun violence prevent shootings and save lives? The Center for Gun Violence Reporting at Community College of Philadelphia was created to explore this question. The Center helps journalists find experts, data and other resources; pairs community reporters [...]

Hugh Taft-Morales Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society Whether before a meal, in times of communal despair, or at the start of a new session of Congress, the words, “let us pray” often surprise non-theistic humanists. Many find calls for collective religious behavior difficult to navigate. The balance between respectful tolerance of group norms and hypocritical submission [...]

Margaret O’Sullivan Director, Nationalities Service Center The Nationalities Service Center (NSC) provides comprehensive services to immigrants and refugees, whom it considers a critical part of the fabric of life in the United States. The NSC believes that all immigrants and refugees have the right to lives of dignity, safety, stability, sustainable opportunities, and meaningful connections [...]

Hugh Taft-Morales Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society Join Hugh for mindfulness, music, readings, and reflections of gratitude. Depending on weather and other variables we may hold an informal gathering in Rittenhouse Square for fully vaccinated Society members at 12:30 PM, after the Zoom platform. Check the Weekly Announcements or email Hugh for updates. Join here online [...]

Join us for an extended virtual coffee hour and—as we emerge (hopefully) from Covid isolation—share the highlights of the past 20 months with your best visuals. We’ll also play a few fun games. Join at www.tiny.cc/phillyethics

Hugh Taft-Morales Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society Every month for the last year, Hugh read a book by a woman novelist. These writers offer compelling insights into their own external and interior lives and distinct perspectives on the wider world around them. Yet their work too often is marginalized in our still male-centric society. Come hear [...]

Ralph Young Historian, Temple University In his research and teaching, Ralph Young has focused on the history of American dissent from the perspective of dissenters and protest movements. He will explain how dissent birthed the United States, was ensconced in the First Amendment to the Constitution, and became a defining characteristic of this nation. Young’s [...]