AEU Publications

Is Ethical Culture the same as humanism?

Some members might see the two as the same, but Ethical Culture is not the same as humanism. The AEU officially describes itself as humanistic rather than humanist. We see ourselves as related to humanist organizations. It would be a mistake to simply equate Ethical Culture to humanism.

Ethical Culture existed before modern humanism began to use that name. The founder of Ethical Culture, Felix Adler, was not a humanist and was uncomfortable with humanism as a philosophy or metaphysics.

Many Ethical Culture members, including many of the professional Leaders, today also consider themselves humanists, but there is no requirement that a member of Ethical Culture be a humanist, and many do not consider themselves to be.

Ethical Culture members helped to found the International Humanist and Ethical Union where Ethical Culture and humanist groups work together towards those values and goals that we share.

Sometimes the term Ethical Humanism is used as an equivalent of Ethical Culture, but not all members or Leaders use the terms interchangeably. Some Societies use the term Ethical Humanist in their titles, but most have not made that choice.

See also: Is Ethical Culture a religion?