What we’re about
Lehigh Valley Humanists is a chapter of the American Humanist Association. As secular humanists, we strive to bring about a progressive society where being good without a god is an accepted way to live life.
Humanism encompasses a variety of non-theistic views (atheism, agnosticism, rationalism, naturalism, secularism, and so forth) while adding the important element of a comprehensive worldview and a set of ethical values grounded in the philosophy of the Enlightenment, informed by scientific knowledge, and driven by a desire to meet the needs of people in the here and now. We promote human rights, civil liberties, the scientific method, and the democratic process in an open, secular, and humane society.
Lehigh Valley Humanists provides education, support, and outreach about humanism in an effort to build a vibrant community based around a positive ethical life-stance.
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Visit our website at www.lvhumanists.org
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Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Sunday Speaker Series: Has neuroscience proven that we have no free will?Between the Lines Studio Theatre, Allentown, PA
Ever since Democritus and Leucippus first formulated the atomic theory of matter around 400 BCE, scientists have been telling us that we have no free will. As Leucippus put it, “Nothing occurs at random, but everything for a reason and by necessity.” In 1814, Marquis Pierre Simon de La Place, also known as the French Newton, famously conjectured that if a being knew all of the physical properties of all of the physical objects in the universe as well as all of the natural laws that govern their interactions, he would be able to predict the entire future of the universe. In 1970, the psychologist B.F. Skinner, writing in his international bestseller, Beyond Freedom and Dignity, proclaimed “In the traditional view a person is free. He is autonomous in the sense that his behavior is uncaused. He can, therefore, be held responsible for what he does and justly punished if he offends. That view together with its associated practices, must be reexamined when a scientific analysis reveals unsuspected controlling relations between behavior and environment.” According to Skinner, no one should be held responsible for what they do because given their nature and nurture, they couldn’t have done otherwise. Skinner didn’t deny that people have beliefs and desires; he only denied that they have any effect on what we do. Mental states, in his view, are merely an ineffectual byproduct of processes going on in the brain over which we have no control. Neuroscientists now claim to have experimental proof of Skinner’s view. In a series of experiments first performed by Libet and subsequently repeated in laboratories around the world, neuroscientists have found that the brain makes a decision seconds before we become consciously aware of making it. Our conscious will does not drive our actions, rather our actions drive our conscious will. Or as Skinner put it, “We do not run away because we are afraid, we are afraid because we run away.”
In the midst of the pandemic, we often heard calls to “Follow the science!” According to many scientists, following the science means giving up the belief in free will. Are we ready for that? Or are we more like Tom Cruise in the movie A Few Good Men to whom Jack Nicholson exclaimed, “The truth? You can’t handle the truth!” What is the truth? Let’s find out.
Dr. Ted Schick is Professor Emeritus of philosophy at Muhlenberg College and received his B.A. from Harvard University and his Ph.D. from Brown University. He has authored three texts: How to Think About Weird Things: Critical Thinking for a New Age, now in its 9th edition; Doing Philosophy: An Introduction Through Thought Experiments, now in its 7th edition; and Readings in the Philosophy of Science: from Positivism to Postmodernism. His work appears in a number of volumes of Open Court’s Philosophy and Popular Culture series, including Seinfeld and Philosophy, The Matrix and Philosophy, The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy, More Matrix and Philosophy, Star Trek and Philosophy, Led Zeppelin and Philosophy as well as Blackwell’s Beer and Philosophy and Cannabis and Philosophy, and his professional articles have been reprinted in multiple publications. Ted has also written several articles for Free Inquiry and Skeptical Inquirer and is listed in Warren Allen Smith’s Who’s Who in Hell.
tedschick@muhlenberg.edu
We will be meeting at Between the Lines Studio Theatre, 725 N. 15th St., Allentown. [Note: the theater is the two-story building attached to the east side of the larger three-story building. Facing the building from the parking lot, it is to the right. Look for the picture window and the ramp.] Social time will be from 10:30 to 11 AM with the talk starting soon after opening remarks. Those who wish to stay for lunch after the event can join us at a local restaurant to be determined.
Free parking is in the lot directly across from the theatre entrance on Green St. There is no charge for this event, as we strive to make as much of our programming as possible accessible to all. However, donations will be accepted to offset the cost of our regular ongoing expenses. Hope to see you there.
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PayPal : @lvh5
Venmo: @LehighValley-Humanists - Online Game Night and Movie/Streaming Series DiscussionNeeds location
Join us for an online hang out of friendly, insightful conversation, gaming and movie discussion. Watch the movie(s) on your own before the event, or just come to chat about the general topic....and play some fun online games.
This month we're picking our own movie (or streaming series) to talk about, so come prepared to talk about what wowed you about a cool drama, documentary or comedy/action/sci-fi plot line!
We'll try to limit spoilers while enticing others to try a completely different genre. If you like post in the comments what movie or series you'll be sharing about...I find jotting down some notes can help make the discussion extra meaningful.
After the movie/series chat our usual game line up will include Jackbox Party Games: Murder Trivia, Quiplash and other party games (each participant will need a second device : smartphone or tablet connected to the internet and device to run Zoom)
Brian will lead us on Zoom. Use this LINK to join the Zoom call.