Ethical Culture, as its name suggests, is dedicated to the cultivation of ethics. Throughout our history, this has been primarily translated into social justice work which involves the cultivation of ethics in society at large, in short, as it pertains to others. Yet this is just half of the story. Ethical Culture is no less devoted to the growth of personal ethics, i.e., how we comport ourselves in the smaller and more intimate circles of life. In fact, Ethical Culture in its ultimate vision strives for the harmonization of the two; the outer and the inner lives. This is no easy task. It is the project of a lifetime, which involves reflection, practice, tolerance for failure, and a commitment to ethical education as it pertains to our own moral striving.

In my opening address of our new season, I will be looking at framing such a life ethic and what it takes to realize it.