The September public forum is the 31st consecutive edition of these monthly zoom-based forums, on the first Thursday of each month, from 7-9pm.

“What, if anything, is our moral obligation to nature? To animate beings?”

Our age is one of growing ecological awareness of our dependence upon, and our rootedness in, the natural world. And some have even argued that some animals, and even some trees, have natural rights that should be respected by the courts. Others have countered that values are human creations, and rights are only to be accorded to all, or to some, human beings. Let us hear your views on these issues.  

Join us in discussing this pressing social issue, in a discussion led by Dr. David Sprintzen, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Long Island University

This September installment of “Ethical Issues in OurTimes” is a product of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island. 

Thursday, September 1st, from 7-9pm on zoom at:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/896985586 

For a little background, here are the last two public forum topics.

In August: “What Does “The American Dream” Mean To You?, And what to Most Americans?”

These days the very meaning of America seems to be highly contested. Many feel they are oppressed or exploited. Others feel they have been cheated of their rightful place and expectations. How do you feel about your life, its possibilities, benefits, discomforts, and disadvantages? And how do you evaluate the attitudes of your fellow citizens? 

In July: “Where are the permissible boundaries of legitimate group expression?, And what are beyond the limits?”

Recently the CEO of Kraken, a cryptocurrency exchange asked his employees. If you can identify as a sex, can you identitfy as a race or ethncity? Who can refer to another person as the N word?

He further said that he opposed employees choosing their own pronouns. Would we genuinely tolerate such questions or would they be rhetorical? What if a member used the N word when quoting a text such as “Huckleberry Finn”? Can a member take the position, without being judged or attacked, that he/she opposes people choosing their own pronouns?