Six sessions

An introduction to ethical theories and ethical thinking. Literature and philosophy have both been instruments of challenge to established systems of morality, and ways to explore the implications of ethical ideas in human life. In each session, participants will discuss selected readings drawn from literature and philosophy. All readings are from out-of-copyright sources and will be distributed to registered students.

The focus of each session will be:

1. What's ethics?

2. What is good, what is evil? And, is everything relative?

3. Utilitarianism: the greatest good for the greatest number: pros and cons

4. Deontological ethics: Kant and his heirs and critics

5. Virtue-based ethics

6. Pragmatic ethics (Jane Addams, John Dewey, Felix Adler)

Location: Green Hedges School, Art Building

In honor of Memorial Day, our Leader, Jone Johnson Lewis, and several members of the Society will share some special memories of people and events who helped shape our lives.

Allison Rutland Soulen of Just Neighbors will lead a discussion on current immigration law. The goal will be to provide a context to better understand both the immigrants in our community and the immigrant debate we hear in the daily news.

Six sessions

An introduction to ethical theories and ethical thinking. Literature and philosophy have both been instruments of challenge to established systems of morality, and ways to explore the implications of ethical ideas in human life. In each session, participants will discuss selected readings drawn from literature and philosophy. All readings are from out-of-copyright sources and will be distributed to registered students.

The focus of each session will be:

1. What's ethics?

2. What is good, what is evil? And, is everything relative?

3. Utilitarianism: the greatest good for the greatest number: pros and cons

4. Deontological ethics: Kant and his heirs and critics

5. Virtue-based ethics

6. Pragmatic ethics (Jane Addams, John Dewey, Felix Adler)

Location: Green Hedges School, Art Building

Monthly practice of connection-building communication. Held in Alexandria. Open to members of NoVES and others who've attended meetings at the Society. We're using the book Nonviolent Communication Workbook available on Sundays at the book table or at http://www.noves.org/nvc/

Please use the contact form to indicate interest if you'd like to join this group.

NoVES' annual retreat is June 13-June 15.  For more information, stop at our Welcome Table on a Sunday.

NoVES' annual retreat is June 13-June 15.  For more information, stop at our Welcome Table on a Sunday.

NoVES' annual retreat is June 13-June 15.  For more information, stop at our Welcome Table on a Sunday.

Regular board meeting of the Society. Members of the Society are welcome to attend or to make proposals. Please email the President to propose an item for the agenda or to indicate you'll attend (we would like to make sure there are enough seats for everyone).

We'll be meeting at the Stanton's.

Monthly practice of connection-building communication. Held in Alexandria. Open to members of NoVES and others who've attended meetings at the Society. We're using the book Nonviolent Communication Workbook available on Sundays at the book table or at http://www.noves.org/nvc/

Please use the contact form to indicate interest if you'd like to join this group.

Mary Ellen Stanton, chair -- please contact Mary Ellen if you'd like to participate or if you have ideas to offer.

NoVES provides officiants for weddings, commitment ceremonies, and other life passage ceremonies. This session is for NoVES members -- with a few invited guests from other Societies -- to explore and learn about the process and commitment of being an Ethical Culture Officiant.

Contact Jone Lewis, Leader, if you have questions, are interested in attending, or are planning to attend.

Monthly practice of connection-building communication. Held in Alexandria. Open to members of NoVES and others who've attended meetings at the Society. We're using the book Nonviolent Communication Workbook available on Sundays at the book table or at http://www.noves.org/nvc/

Please use the contact form to indicate interest if you'd like to join this group.

Regular board meeting of the Society. Members of the Society are welcome to attend or to make proposals. Please email the President to propose an item for the agenda or to indicate you'll attend (we would like to make sure there are enough seats for everyone).

NoVES provides officiants for weddings, commitment ceremonies, and other life passage ceremonies. This session is for NoVES members -- with a few invited guests from other Societies -- to explore and learn about the process and commitment of being an Ethical Culture Officiant.

Contact Jone Lewis, Leader, if you have questions, are interested in attending, or are planning to attend.

Ellen Dinerman and Jim Perdue are hosting the annual Labor Day picnic for members and friends of the Ethical Society.

Welcome back after time off from Sunday meetings -- and, for others, welcome for the first time!

As is usual, our Leader, Jone Johnson Lewis, begins the year with the opening address. This year's opening topic: "Listening to Your Life."

Monthly practice of connection-building communication. Held in Alexandria. Open to members of NoVES and others who've attended meetings at the Society. We're using the book Nonviolent Communication Workbook available on Sundays at the book table or at http://www.noves.org/nvc/

Please use the contact form to indicate interest if you'd like to join this group.

Standing on the bluff overlooking the largest landfill in Latin America evoked to Hugh Taft-Morales an image crafted by Felix Adler, founder of Ethical Culture:

We stand, as it were, on the shore, and see multitudes of our fellow beings struggling in the water, stretching forth their arms, sinking, drowning, and we are powerless to assist them. 

This describes spiritual pains that Adler insisted we must overcome in order to be more effective agents of change.  To save a few, we must understand the suffering of many.