Abstract

This paper argues for a distinction between the Ethical Culture movement and other humanist organizations and provides a rationale for doing so. It is dedicated to the life and memory of my esteemed colleague, Dr. Matthew Ies Spetter, who died on 30 December 2012 at the age of 91. Dr. Spetter was Leader Emeritus for the Riverdale Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture, where he had served for 40 years. He also was Leader Emeritus for the New York Society for Ethical Culture, and he had led the Department of Ethics for the three Ethical Culture schools