The Ethics of Affirmative Action
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesA presentation by the Forum for Philosophy, Ethics, and Public Affairs of the University of Pennsylvania in partnership with the Philadelphia Ethical Society. Should universities design admissions policies to increase the representation of racial and ethnic minorities? Some argue that affirmative action is necessary to address inequality; others argue that affirmative action is racist. Come and discuss [...]
Keeping Church and State Separate: Recent developments
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesAlex Luchenitser Associate Legal Director, Americans United for Separation of Church and State Alex Luchenitser will discuss the recent lawsuit against officials of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, in which he represented the Philadelphia Ethical Society, its late Leader Emeritus Richard Kiniry, and other nontheist groups and individuals that sought equal rights for nontheists to [...]
Think Ethics – What is Science?
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesAlex Gutierrez, a senior at Haverford College majoring in philosophy, continues the philosophical conversations series with the question, What is Science? In today's society, science is viewed as the primary arbiter of knowledge. But what kinds of things are proper scientific objects? How does science work in producing knowledge? And how does science relate to [...]
Philadelphia Stoics
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin the Philadelphia Stoics on February 9 and 23 for their continuing discussion of the lessons and exercises in “A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control – 52 Week-by-Week Lessons by Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez. In preparation for the meeting on February 9, you are encouraged to do the reading [...]
Deed Before Creed: Ethics and Non-Theism
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesHugh Taft-Morales Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society What does it mean to commit to “deed before creed"? To Hugh Taft-Morales, it simply means that it is more important how you treat people than the reasons behind your actions. Treating people with compassion and respect matters more than the motivating philosophy. Whether you help someone as an [...]
Music for Good “Passions ~ New & Old”
Robert Cart (flute) & Regina DiMedio-Marrazza (piano) will explore the music of modern and classic composers who express the exuberance, peace, and romance of their times, in Passions ~ New & Old. This concert in the Music for Good series is presented by the Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia 19103. 20% of ticket [...]
Introduction to Ethical Humanism
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesThis month’s Introduction to Ethical Humanism focuses on the talk given earlier this day by Hugh Taft-Morales - “Deed Before Creed: Ethics and Non-Theism.” Come discuss how Ethical Humanism frames theological discourse in a world all too often shattered by metaphysical differences. How do we help heal a broken world despite our different perspectives on God?
Book Discussion – The Witch of Lime Street: Séance, Seduction, and Houdini in the Spirit World
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesCome discuss David Jaher’s exploration of Mina "Margery" Crandon (1888 - 1941), who claimed to be a psychic who channeled her dead brother. Margery, who was nicknamed “the Witch of Lime Street,” was promoted by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, of Sherlock Holmes fame, and publicly doubted by the magician Harry Houdini. Come discuss the first part (parts I-V; [...]
Effective Altruism – Abolitionist vs Welfarist: Approaches in Animal Activism
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesMansi Bhagwate of Liberation Philadelphia and Jon Campbell of the Humane League will discuss their different approaches to animal rights activism, abolitionism and welfarism. We will discuss the ethical implications of these two approaches, the difference in strategies that these two activist approaches would take, and where the two approaches agree and diverge. Vegan dinner [...]
From Nuclear Madness to a Green New Deal
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesThe Rev. Robert Moore Executive Director, Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) The Rev. Robert Moore will give an overview of the two existential threats to human survival: nuclear weapons and the climate crisis. He will explore the inter-relationship between those two issues, and will propose a solution. He will also include a description of CFPA's [...]