Documentary: Mission Joy
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesThis film is a deeply moving testament to the friendship between the Dalai Lama and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It explores their dialogue about how to live with joy in troubled times. PES Leader Hugh Taft-Morales will facilitate a conversation after the film. Free at the Ethical Society building. This event is part of [...]
Religious Freedom and the Separation of Church and State
Sarah Barringer Gordon University of Pennsylvania Are we heading toward a theocracy and Christian nationalist state? Sarah Barringer Gordon, the Arlin M. Adams professor of constitutional law and a professor of history, is renowned for her work on the ways that religious liberty developed over the course of American history. A frequent media commentator, she [...]
Benefit Jazz Concert: The Larry McKenna Quartet
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesThis performance will raise money for programs serving refugees in Philadelphia. Come enjoy terrific jazz and help those building new lives here. Pay what you will at the Ethical Society Building. This event is part of the International Day of Peace (celebrated from September 15-21). This year’s theme—chosen by the United Nations—is “End Racism. Build [...]
Peace Day Program 2022
Gather on the north apron of Philadelphia City Hall for this event. There will be special guests, art, reflections on the theme “End Racism. Build Peace,” and songs by PES Leader Hugh Taft-Morales. This event is part of the International Day of Peace (celebrated from September 15-21). This year’s theme—chosen by the United Nations—is “End [...]
Rape and Murder: “Me Too” in Italian Renaissance Art
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesHugh Taft-Morales Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society While enjoying the aesthetic brilliance of Italian Renaissance art this summer, Hugh was struck by the many representations of violence between men and women. In light of the Supreme Court’s attack on women’s bodily integrity, we must understand the dynamics that fuel this violence: both the oppression of women [...]
Transforming the Pathways to College and the Workforce
Sara Woods Philadelphia Futures For more than 30 years, Philadelphia Futures has supported the aspirations of students who represent the first generation in their families to attend college. CEO and President Sara Woods will discuss the transformative opportunity of the organization’s recent merger with Steppingstone Scholars. Together, they will ensure all Philadelphia students graduate from [...]
The Virtue and Value of Keeping Your Mouth Shut
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesHugh Taft-Morales Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society Much of American culture praises those who speak their mind, regardless of the impact of their words. They like people to “tell it like it is”. This tendency is supported by the assumption that keeping things to yourself is unhealthy. Many believe that regular cathartic truth-telling is necessary to [...]
Introduction to Ethical Humanism
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesAnyone can attend this Zoom and in-person about the Philadelphia Ethical Society, though it’s mainly geared to folks new to our special brand of humanism. After a short presentation, Hugh will take questions and coordinate a conversation. Those attending in person share refreshments – to folks on Zoom, sorry, but you’ll have to provide your [...]
Embedded Values: AI, Ethics, and Politics
Chloe Bakalar Temple University Engineers are stereotyped as problem-solvers, not philosophers. But philosophy and engineering are deeply intertwined in artificial intelligence, which increasingly powers the world. Philosophy is necessary to understand the values embedded in AI tools and to push for desirable outcomes. Bakalar discusses the challenges of creating a values-based approach to AI, as [...]
Book Discussion (Zoom) – Behaving Decently: Kurt Vonnegut’s Humanism
PA, United StatesJoin Leader Hugh Taft-Morales for a discussion of a new Humanist Press book Behaving Decently: Kurt Vonnegut’s Humanism, by Wayne Laufert a former newspaper reporter/editor and member of the Baltimore Ethical Society. On Zoom: Saturday, October 22, 10:30AM-noon (joint session with the Baltimore Ethical Society) In person: Monday, October 24, 5:30-7:00PM Join online here at [...]