Twenty years after Felix Adler’s death, the Ethical Culture movement began to shift away from its founder’s philosophical focus. Dr. Howard Radest, a leading advocate for this change, documented the transition in his 1982 article Ethical Culture and Humanism: A Cautionary Tale.

While many Ethical Leaders still embrace Humanism, the movement’s decline can be linked to this shift. Why wasn’t Adler a Humanist, and how did his philosophy differ? Is it time to abandon Humanism and reclaim the movement’s original identity? Leader Curt Collier will discuss the history of this shift and explain why he believes we need a return to our philosophical roots.

About Curt Collier

Curt Collier is the Leader of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County and a passionate advocate for community redevelopment. He works as a consultant, helping nonprofits enhance their capacity to make a positive impact. Additionally, Collier is a professor of Ethics and Ethics in Science at Fairleigh Dickinson University and serves as a Community Planning Specialist for the National Park Service. He leads various initiatives, including job training programs for New York City schools, support for environmental nonprofits in New Jersey, and projects aimed at improving scientific literacy among young adults. Collier is also the consulting Leader for the Ethical Culture Society of Silicon Valley, and the Austin Ethical Society.