Volume 4, Issue 8, August 1, 2012


August 5

Reinventing Life: A Guide to our Evolutionary Future
Jeffrey Coker, Author

Jeffrey Coker's book is an intelligent, engaging and accessible introduction to biology, evolution, biotechnology, and space exploration, bringing these diverse topics together under the umbrella of evolutionary stewardship. Evolutionary stewardship is guided by environmentalism's familiar values of biodiversity and sustainability, but also by an intentional hands-on biotechnological shaping of life's future. Coker explains that if we are to move beyond the hypocrisy of refusing to play god while blithely continuing to do so we avoid this emerging responsibility. Shouldering that responsibility may be the only way to keep a grip on our humanity. His presentation will help us better understand the important role ethical humanism plays in shouldering that responsibility.

 

IFC Food Pantry

We will be collecting food and sundry items this Sunday for IFC. The economic recession has resulted in a loss of donations to this important social service agency, and it relies on organizations like ours to help its clients. Please contribute generously.


August 12

The Work of Ken Wilber and His Theory of the Moral Intuition
Bob Roth, EHST Member

Bob will introduce the main tenets of Ken Wilber's work on evolution and human development as it pertains to moral development. The topics covered will be:

  • The Perennial Philosophy
  • The Great Chain of Being
  • Wilber's four-quadrant model of "everything"
  • Wilber's views on the moral intuitive and how it pertains to Ethical Humanism

Bob received his Masters and Doctorate from Ohio State University where his area of study was Philosophy of Education, specifically the field of Somatics, which explores the connection between movement awareness and human development. Bob has taught yoga for over 25 years and is a Certified Structural Yoga Therapist. Currently, Bob works as a technical writer for Tekelec, a Morrisville-based firm.

Ken Wilber is credited with developing a unified field theory of consciousness, a synthesis and interpretation of the world's great psychological, philosophical, and spiritual traditions. He is the most cogent and penetrating voice in the recent emergence of a uniquely American wisdom.


August 19

Ethical Culture Lay Leadership Summer School
July 14-July 21, 2012
Dorothy Dale Pollack, EHST Member

Dorothy will cover the import role this school plays in the Leadership Schoolethical culture movement and her experience as a participant. The American Ethical Union established this school in 1996 to promote the evolution of Ethical Culture, so that Ethical members and institutions can flourish and grow. A full week's immersion at the Highlands, NC retreat in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains provides a perfect setting for participants to interact with one another and attend workshops that focus on becoming creative agents for positive change, practicing leadership in small-group settings, communicating the history, ideas and development of Ethical Culture, and building our Ethical Societies. The Lay Leadership Summer School is a special opportunity for committed leaders and members to share ideas and ideals, broaden inter-Society connections, promote richer personal and social relationships, and to have fun!


August 23

IFC Cook and Serve

Our scheduled cook and serve project is this Thursday from 4:00 to 7:15 p.m. Contact Amy Piersma, amypiersma@yahoo.com, to sign up. The food is donated from the community and anyone who is hungry can eat. Our entire membership participates. On the fourth Thursday of each month, January through October, members cook from 4-6 p.m. and serve from 6-7:15 p.m. It's great fun and a worthy endeavor!


August 26

Our Evolutionary Future
Moral Intuition
Lay Leadership in Ethical Societies
Group Discussion

August will end with a lively discussion about the subjects this month's presenters covered. Come prepared with questions, ideas, and comments about ethical issues their talks raised and the significance of each program for EHST members and beyond our walls.


Deepening Circles - Date and Place TBA

To expand our program offers, EHST will hold its next meeting in August. The group has been formed to create more intimate, personal relationships.

The meetings are taking place once a mouth outside our usual meeting times, focus on a given topic, and allow everyone to speak. The purpose is to be able to listen to each other and share experiences, not to discuss or debate. Participants gain insight into other group members and increase common understanding.

We encourage you to attend. Please contact Randy Best with your questions and if you would like to attend. rsbest@fastmail.fm

 


August 3, 6:00 pm
Town of Chapel Hill
Justice in Action Committee

The mission of the Justice in Action Committee is to adequately and effectively reflect the Town of Chapel Hill's integrity and commitment to preserving racial, economic, and social justice within the community.

It fulfills this mission by:

  • GIVING VOICE to issues and concerns regarding race and power in Chapel Hill and the surrounding community
  • EDUCATING the Chapel Hill community through workshops, seminars, and by developing resource materials related to issues of racism, diversity and inclusiveness for the Town of Chapel Hill
  • EMPOWERING all ethnic groups by advocating and voicing support for initiatives designed to stimulate economic and social equality amongst the greater community
  • ADVISE Town Council on various ways to foster a more racially inclusive community
  • SERVING as liaisons to the Town Council, we seek to monitor and evaluate racial inclusiveness on all levels of life in Chapel Hill
  • The Committee will coordinate its work with Town staff, the Library Board of Trustees, the Museum Board of Directors and the Orange County Human Rights and Relations Commission and others as deemed appropriate


For Interested Parties

The Justice in Action Committee meets at 6:00 pm on the First Thursday of each month in the Second Floor Training Room. Review the Upcoming Agenda online or contact The Board. The committee is seeking new members to take part in its important work.

 


 752 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Next to Foster's Market & Kitchen
Chapel Hill

August 6, 7:00 pm
The Nation Discussion Group

Do you read The Nation? Would you like to join a discussion group of political thinkers and activists to exchange ideas, inform the media and public debate, and share strategies that reflect the mission and foci of this magazine? Although the magazine's content is primarily political, the writers' viewpoints impact ethically on all aspects of our society. All voices and ideas are welcome. Please RSVP to (919) 370-4114.

August 13, 7:00 pm
The Honest Truth about Dishonesty

This book is Dan Ariely's latest. "It's not just Enron; we all cheat, from sneaking extra cookies to padding our resumes. Behavioral economist Ariely isn't here to scold us but to tell us why we cheat and how we can become more honest." Ariely is The New York Times bestselling author of Predictably Irrational and The Upside of Irrationality. He is Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University. His work has been featured by NPR, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe.