The Brick Wall Brain: Why Facts (Usually) Don’t Change Minds
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesAEU All-Society Program When presented with solid data, some people go blank, get angry, or walk out. Why isn't evidence breaking through? Seth Andrews, creator of The Thinking Atheist online community, discusses "identity beliefs" and suggests how to crack open the barriers they create and let in some light. We'll be meeting in the [...]
Instrumental Music and Humanist Spirituality
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesHugh Taft-Morales, Leader Philadelphia Ethical Society Music reinvigorates, heals, comforts, and inspires. It can turn us inward by connecting our heads and our hearts. It also can turn us outward by nurturing emotional connection to others. Music, in many forms, has been central to religions throughout time. Hugh Taft-Morales brings a humanist perspective to the [...]
How Does a Stoic Eat?
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesStoicism teaches indifference to external goods. Essentials, such as food, are treated as neutral. Does that mean Stoics eat without pleasure, focused solely on function? Join the Ethical Society and Philadelphia Stoa to explore the Stoic balance between bodily needs and the virtues of temperance and moderation. Discover how Stoics’ diets reflect their ethical values: [...]
Ethical Culture Happy Hour
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesHugh hosts an introduction to Ethical Culture in the Leader’s office. Learn more about our non-theist alternative to traditional religion while enjoying beverages and snacks.
Lunch with Hugh (in person)
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesBring your lunch to the Leader’s office for some casual conversation.
Politics Hour #1 (in person)
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin us for the first of two conversations about political tactics today. We will watch and discuss the five-minute video “Bonhoeffer‘s Theory of Stupidity.” Bring your own lunch. (For additional context, watch the 30-minute video “The Theory of Stupidity” on your own.) Links: Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww47bR86wSc Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53ZaXpIn2fg
Politics Hour #1 (virtual)
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin us for the first of two conversations about political tactics today. We will watch and discuss the five-minute video “Bonhoeffer‘s Theory of Stupidity.” Bring your own lunch. (For additional context, watch the 30-minute video “The Theory of Stupidity” on your own.) Links: Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww47bR86wSc Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53ZaXpIn2fg
Climate Skills
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesEugene Chislenko Professor of Philosophy, Temple University Combatting climate change requires a set of skills that allow us to address the problem constructively rather than focus solely on threats and the possibility of failure. Climate skills are not specialized: they include such familiar actions as listening, raising issues, making connections, starting groups, creating art, and [...]
Beyond Stoicism: Ancient Philosophies for Modern Times
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin the Ethical Society and Philadelphia Stoa to explore how Stoicism’s fundamental rule—the distinction between "what is up to us" and "what is not up to us"—addresses modern challenges. Dr. Amjol Shrestha from Rowan University will explain practical approaches to differentiating between those things inside and outside of our control. This ongoing series reveals practical [...]
Lessons from Bonhoeffer
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesHugh Taft-Morales, Leader Philadelphia Ethical Society Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor, resisted Nazism and paid for it with his life. After 18 months in prison for participation in the German resistance, Bonhoeffer was hanged on April 9, 1945. Although they differed theologically, Ethical Culture founder Felix Adler and Bonhoffer shared some characteristics. Both were [...]