The Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago is Ethical Culture's outpost in Chicago. Founded in 1882, Chicago's "Ethical Society" was the second Ethical Society to be formed. It is both a member of the American Ethical Union and the American Humanist Association.

Ethical Culture sees itself as an ethical, educational, and religious movement. Ethical Culture is premised on the idea that honoring and living in accordance with ethical principles is central to what it takes to live meaningful and fulfilling lives,

and to creating a world that is good for all. Practitioners of Ethical Culture focus on supporting one another in becoming better people, and on doing good in the world.

In the words of the 2008 Ethical Culture Leaders' Statement, "Ethical Culture is a religion of ethical relationships, a Humanist movement in which ethics is central. We organize congregationally in order to live out values in community inspired by the ideal of perfecetd living that always lies beyond our reach. Together we direct our efforts toward assurung a just and abundant life for all."

Other "Ethical Culture" organizations include:

• American Ethical Union, umbrella organization for the various Ethical Societies in the United States, founded in 1889. A member organisation of the International Humanist and Ethical Union
• New York Society for Ethical Culture, the original Ethical Society founded by Adler in 1876.
• Ethical Society of Saint Louis, founded in 1886.
• Baltimore Ethical Society, the first racially integrated religious community in Baltimore, was founded in 1950.
• Ethical Culture Society of Westchester , in White Plains, NY, founded in 1922.
• Northern Virginia Ethical Society, in Vienna, Virginia, founded in 1984.
• Washington Ethical Society, in Washington DC, founded in 1944.
• Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island, NY, founded in 1950.
• Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County, NJ, founded in 1953.
• Ethical Culture Society of Essex County, NJ, founded in 1945.
• Ethical Culture Society of Puget Sound, Seattle, WA.
• Ethical Society of Austin, Austin TX.
• Ethical Society Without Walls, Ethical Culture Society creating a congregation for those not near a society.
• Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture
• Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia, in Philadelphia, PA.
• Ethical Culture Society of Silicon Valley, in San Jose, CA
• North Carolina Society for Ethical Culture, in Chapel Hill, NC

Humanism:

"Humanism is a broad category of ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appealing to universal human qualities, particularly rationality, without resorting to the supernatural or alleged divine authority from religious texts" - Wikipedia on Humanism

Ethical Humanism is a view of the world in which reason, compassion, and commitment to ethical values are central.

We are informed and enriched by the knowledge that comes from an understanding of the scientific method. We celebrate diversity and are inspired by the arts. Members encourage each other to become responsible stewards of the environment and to work to improve the quality of life for all.

Ethical Humanism is not a belief we are born to, but a source of inspiration and information we choose. It serves as a lifelong philosophical and educational guide to living a good, happy, informed, useful life. While we acknowledge the capacity for some human beings to do unthinkable wrong, we believe in the potential for most to work toward positive ends.

We come to Ethical Humanism from diverse backgrounds. As Catholics, Jews, Protestants, Buddhists, Moslems, and representatives of other faiths, we respect and honor our religious heritage; however, at the Ethical Society we come together to focus on the here and now and the values different kinds of people have in common, not things that keep us apart.