This seemingly simple theme was chosen by the group attending Socrates Café at Ethical on Monday. We began by exploring who the OTHER may be. Most expressed a greater sense of obligation to help our immediate family when they are in need than to aid strangers. But the question was raised: if we, as ethical […]
Socrates Cafe
Death: does it really exist?
Here’s a recap of our recent discussion on Death: does it really exist? There are two schools of thought about the distinction between living and non-living. One sees these two states as totally different and contrasting. The other sees existence in continual flux between organic and inorganic states of varying complexity. In the latter view, […]
The Issue of a Professor’s Prerogative
Should a biology professor be allowed to not write a letter of recommendation to a premedical student who doesn’t believe in the theory of evolution? The topic came from an article a participant read in the New York Times in which a professor states on his web page that he would not write a letter […]
Public Lives and Private Morality: Whose Business is it anyway?
A baker’s dozen of Ethical Culturists and others chose the above topic on our first Summer Sunday with Socrates. A lively, 90 minutes discussion ensued. Much of the focus was on Clinton, although his private indiscretions were hardly more remarkable than FDR, Ike or Kennedy, to name just few in recent years. One view was […]
Is Doing the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number the Right Thing?
A frosty but warm-hearted group gathered and decided to discuss if utilitarianism made sense. We began with a simple formulation of that ethical view, as mentioned in the title, but recognized that it could also be stated as doing the least harm or trying to do things that maximize the happiness or best consequences for […]
Is it Ever Right to Impose our Cultural Beliefs on Others?
“Circumcision” vs. “Mutilation” By Richard Bernstein A dozen gathered on a fine May evening to discuss if the appropriate attitude about garbage strewn streets and female circumcision should be acceptance, indignation or belligerence. Were these two issues even related? Strolling along the streets of the non-tourist section of a developing Caribbean island nation prompted thoughts […]
