As traditional beliefs crumble under the scrutiny of science and rationality, religions are losing influence to secular culture and values. What is left is a vacuum of moral laxity and ethical confusion. Although secular society depends on social stability and cooperation, it has no ethical mission. The Western marketplace promotes insatiable materialism while largely ignoring the importance of developing good character, a more ethical culture, or a sense of spiritual well-being. So many conflicting moral messages confront us that ethical values appear to become optional social conventions, like good manners.
Many people lack any higher purpose beyond their own immediate well-being.
We are heirs to a vast social domain created by revolutions in science, philosophy, economics, politics, technology and communications. We enjoy power and prosperity beyond the dreams of previous generations. Yet the ultimate success of our lives depends on the quality of our personal, professional, and political relationships. To create sustaining relationships, people from diverse cultures need a common ground of ethical agreement. The Ethical Society's mission is to advance an ethical-spiritual ideal that religious and secular societies can use to generate cooperation while maintaining diversity.