Ethical Culture

a movement founded by Felix Adler in 1876 that stresses the importance of ethical behavior independent of religious beliefs.

* * *

▪ 19th century social movement

      a movement based upon the conviction that moral tenets need not be grounded in religious or philosophical dogma. Ethical culture has sought to promote social welfare through community effort. The movement originated in New York City under the leadership of Felix Adler (Adler, Felix) in 1876. Adler contended that Judaism and Christianity were mistaken in making ethics dependent on religious dogma. Adler started with the basic principle of the 18th-century German philosopher Immanuel Kant (Kant, Immanuel) that every human being is an end in himself and is worthwhile on his own account. He had three basic goals for the Society for Ethical Culture, which he founded: (1) sexual purity, (2) devoting surplus income to the improvement of the working classes, and (3) continued intellectual development. The movement spread to England, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, and India. Adler promoted the movement as a religion that included Sunday services, solemnization of marriages, and funerals. Other leaders in the movement were W.M. Salter, Stanton Coit, and Walter L. Sheldon.

* * *