Monthly forum
NOTE: The forum will begin PROMPTLY at 7PM and end at 9PM!
We are honored to welcome back to Long Island the founder of the secular humanist movement and the Center for Inquiry, Dr. Paul Kurtz.
Paul Kurtz (born December 21, 1925 in Newark, New Jersey) is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, but is best known for his prominent role in the United States skeptical community. He is founder and chairman of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, formerly the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), the Council for Secular Humanism, the Center for Inquiry and Prometheus Books.
Topic
At a time when ancient rivalries and violence seem to threaten humankind daily, we ask, "Can we develop ethical principles and values appropriate to the present global condition of humankind? Can we resolve conflicts before they lead to war, overcome environmental degradation that endangers our common planetary habitat, and bridge the severe disparities in income and wealth?"
Kurtz maintains that secular humanists and scientific naturalists can help point the way toward a new planetary civilization. But first we need to overcome the ancient religious, ethnic, racial, and nationalistic perspectives of the past; and second, we need to develop moral principles appropriate to the twenty-first century and beyond. He calls this "Planetary Ethics." Such a moral stance considers "every person in the world community to be equal in dignity and value" over and beyond existing boundaries. Kurtz attempts to outline the key principles of this new planetary perspective.
Without a doubt, Dr. Kurtz is the leading activist humanist organizer in the world, being a driving force of nearly every humanist and/or skeptic movement in existence.
Musical guest: Frank Gambino. Host: Gerry Dantone. (There will also be some surprise special guests!)
Biography
Paul Kurtz is professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Buffalo, but is best known for his prominent role in the United States skeptical and humanist community. He is founder and chairman of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, (formerly CSICOP), the Council for Secular Humanism, and Prometheus Books. Kurtz is also editor-in-chief of Free Inquiry magazine, a publication of the Council for Secular Humanism.
The FREE AND OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC forum will be hosted by CFI Community of Long Island coordinator, Gerry Dantone.
