Events
Notes for past events are posted under the Meeting Notes tab.
Is it ethical for one country to remove another country's head of state?
Although our minds leap to current events, this discussion and the speakers we have confirmed will bring a broad personal set of experiences to the topic:
Bill Patterson is the current Secretary of the Hilton Head Island World Affairs Council. He had 25 years working international development and served our Foreign Service in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Les Janka served in the White House as Special Assistant to the President, on Senior Staff on the NSC, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. He also held position in government relations consulting and in private sector culminating in serving as President of Raytheon Arabian Systems Company in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The session will be moderated by John Gilbert. John is one of our new Board members, a retired Air Force officer who worked in strategic missile operations, intelligence, and arms control.
Free Will vs. Determinism
Question: In each situation we face through life do we really have a choice or is Free Will an illusion? If so how can we hold someone responsible for their actions?
Speaker: Peter McAllister
Moderator: Paul Weismantel
Health Care as a Human Right
Speaker: Dr. John Newman, Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine
Moderator: TBD
Ethical Questions Arising From the Changing American Educational System
Speaker: TBD
Moderator: Hank Noble
Environmental Ethics - Balancing Sustainability and Development
Question:
Should Hilton Head and Surrounding areas adhere to ethical principles of sustainability in economic development that emphasize a balanced approach, environmental integrity, and social equity?
Speakers:
Mayor Alan Perry - Hilton Head Island
Mayor Harry Williams - Hardeeville
Artificial Intelligence - A Tool in the Search for Truth
If living ethically requires us to search out truth in our beliefs, should today's Artificial Intelligence tools offer a central role in each person’s efforts to collect the facts needed to inform our beliefs? Does progress in the 21st century require the sophisticated resources of AI to live ethically? Does it deprive us of our appeal to ignorance when skirting the boundaries of ethics?
Speaker: Paul Weismantel
CryptoCurrencies
As of April 11, 2025, the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies is approximately $2.65 trillion. Are cryptocurrencies really money or a series of rudimentary potential debacles? This discussion will contain a description of the characteristics and functions of money along with a description of what cryptocurrencies are along with the blockchain technology upon which cryptocurrecies depend. We will discuss the major positions of the advocates and critics of this new technology based currency.
Our speaker for this topic will be Peter McAllister, a fellow HHI Ethics Society participant.
Sustainability
Sustainability involves ethical choices addressing current needs satisfactorily without undermining the well-being of future generations.
We will be joined by Joseph Staton, PhD. He is a Professor of Biology & Marine Science at USCB.
Topic: Quality Health Care & Financial Resources
Can a healthcare system with financial return obligations truly prioritize patients over profits? Dr. Gordon Haist and Paul Weismantel will lead the review and discussion.
Reparations
We will discuss many of the typical categories of reparations (e.g.; restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition), who may receive and provide reparations, a few examples of past programs, and some lessons learned.
The Ethics of The Just War Theory
Given the current state of military conflicts as well as recent past we will triage two cases through the lens of The Just War Theory.
To aid in the effort we are using the book “Just and Unjust Wars” by Michael Walzer, recommended by faculty of the West Point Military Academy.
To supplement this book we refer you to a You Tube video by Dr. Richard Feist at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir8LThr58W
Presenter: TBD
Moderator: Dr. Gordon Haist
Topic: The Ethics of the Supreme Court
In response to considerable criticism, the Supreme Court has produced a “Code of Conduct” (download PDF).
Dr. Gordon Haist will open the session reviewing the issue and context for discussing our question:
Should the Supreme Court have a code of ethics that holds its justices accountable?
Gordon and Paul Weismantel will then present short Pro and Con Arguments and open the floor to our discussion.
Concerning Immigration: Is Asylum a Demand of Justice or Politics?
Speaker and Moderators to be announced.
Gun Control - Society’s Ethical Balance of Safety & Freedom
SPEAKER: Sgt. Bruce Oliver, University of South Carolina Dept. of Public Safety
MODERATOR: Paul Weismantel
Artificial Intelligence - How To Manage It
This meeting will include an update on AI since our October meeting.
Artificial Intelligence - What It Means To Us
An overview of what Artificial Intelligence is, how it differs from traditional computer software programs, the broad field of applications (good and bad), and how AI is being used in now.