In Good We Trust

NOTE: Join me live at 11AM this Sunday at the Philadelphia Ethical Society or on Zoom at this link to hear more reflections about Stoicism and peace. Those living in or near

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In honor of the United Nations International Day of Peace, Hugh Taft-Morales explores how the philosophy of Stoicism can help us build peace from the inside out. It can help us nurture peace within by contemplating the "big picture" and by understanding what we can control and what we cannot. Stoicism can help us manage the relationships between our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. This can lead to greater equanimity and more effective peacebuilding in the world.

Like all human institutions, organized labor is not perfect. But I believe that no other movement has done more to uplift average people and offer hope for a fairer society. We need it revived today more than ever. Right now 40 million Americans suffer from poverty and the gap between the richest and poorest citizens continues to grow. As we approach Labor Day, I suggest that we improve our nation by celebrating and supporting the role of working women, both historically and for our future.

I want to explore what we can learn about personal heartbreak that can help us heal as a nation. I try to keep my eyes and heart open, but I struggle. It’s not easy to be both aware and empathetic when so many in the world suffer. It breaks my heart. And it’s not always easy to get over heartbreak. It can be on-going, as if parts of your heart break every day. Florence Williams in Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey writes, “heartbreak is not a condition to be bandaged and cured. It is more like a bruise in the brain. It never really disappears.” But there are ways to heal sufficiently so that the joy of life and the harmony of our nation can be revived.

Politicians from both major parties and with a wide variety of political perspectives often seem more interested in power than character. In the case of too many male politicians, this manifests in misogyny and sexism. Bill Clinton and Donald Trump were criticized for callous attitudes and behavior toward women. And yet, in the wake of the "Me Too" movement, outrage over this seems to have subsided. Have we become inured to politicians who we hand over power but would not want as role models for our children?

Patriotism is defined as “the love, devotion and sense of attachment to a homeland and alliance with other citizens who feel the same.” It’s a term that goes all the way back to the Greek word “patrios,” meaning, “of one’s father.” In and of itself, attachment to one’s ancestors seems unproblematic. Ethical questions arise for me when patriotism evolves into its modern form – militarized and nationalistic. In the late 18th century, patriotism became more exclusionary, tribal, and chauvinistic.

The psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg believed humans developed through stages of moral reasoning in their lives, from doing good because we are told to do good, to doing good for rewards, to doing good to fit into social groups, to doing good because reason impels us. I think, I “do good” for all the reasons Kohlberg identifies, but also because I’m biologically hard wired to do so due to evolutionary pressures. Cooperation is a highly valued personality trait that probably contributes more to our survivability than we give it credit for.

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As a species, human beings love and kill. We can empathize deeply each other, and treat each other with dignity and respect. But we can also dehumanize one another to the point of becoming mortal enemies. This juxtaposition is bizarre. As technology makes killing easier, we’d better develop more empathy, maybe even for those we label our enemy.

What lessons we can draw from solar eclipses? They've frightened animals and fueled the supernaturalism of our ancestors. While science now offers us logical explanations, eclipses still provoke wonder and awe. For the scientist Ann Druyan, they offer “informed worship" - experiences that might help us have greater respect for the fragility of life. Strangers from all over the country gathered in peace along the path of our April 2024 celestial event. Can we capitalize on this harmony and use the darkness of future eclipses to brighten our lives?

All around the world people celebrate springtime. The return of warmth and light can make us feel revived and rejuvenated. Smell the flowers, reach up toward the sun, or try some "tree-bathing" by walking through the woods as the buds open. Children seem the most open to the wonder of spring. Let's follow their example and find a way to access this energy and life. You just may be healthier and happier.

We have so little time and there are so many good deeds to do. When prioritizing how to do good, let’s strive to: 1) honor inherent worth of every person; 2) build social justice; 3) nurture ethical personal and organizational relationships grounded of mutuality and respect; and let’s do so by, 4) nurturing pragmatic cooperation where we agree; 5) using evidence and reason; and, 6) sustain commitment through a fulfilling and joyous life.

CHOOSING ETHICAL ACTION PROJECTS

In choosing concrete ethical action projects, it is important to keep in mind which ones best represent the values and mission of Ethical Culture. Ethical Culture is not simply a social justice or community service organization. It is a humanistic ethical movement dedicated to inspiring people to do good.

The following are some suggested criteria when choosing an ethical action, community service, and/or social justice project. Ideally, the project should reflect:

1) the importance of inherent worth;

2) the development of potential of individuals (i.e. consider where potential is least realize and how to maximize our leverage);

3) the importance of relationships, mutuality, and community;

4) the long-term goal of social transformation;

5) a pragmatic conviction to work together where we can agree on ethical action; and,

6) the importance of reason (at least not violating reason, i.e. balancing emotional appeal by logic/science/empiricism/reality checks.)