Felix Adler
(1851-1933)

German-American Educator, Social Reformer
Founder of the Ethical Culture Movement

birthdate: August 13
birthplace:
Alzey, Germany

Felix Adler was a Jewish professor of political and social ethics who founded the ethical culture (or ethical humanist) movement, a philosophy of life that affirms our ability to find personal fulfillment by leading an ethical and moral life, and a responsibility to work towards the greater good of humanity, without the need for religion or belief in a higher being. Felix Adler trained to become a rabbi like his father, but his controversial views were not well received by his father's congregation in New York when he delivered his first sermon in 1874. Instead he became a professor at Cornel University and later at Columbia University. A follow-up sermon he delivered in 1876 inspired the founding of the New York Society for Ethical Culture the next year, and soon led to the founding of similar societies in Philadelphia, Chicago and St. Louis. Today, the American Ethical Union is a federation of 25 Ethical Societies in the United States, and it is a founding member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, representing over 100 organizations in 40 countries.

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