CPE is a growing community of scholars dedicated to advancing an understanding of peace and ethics, and their application to every aspect of individual and communal human activity.  

CPE understands peace in all of its senses.  Human collectives—nations, corporations, religions, and other organizations—know peace as freedom from war, conflict, or fundamental disagreement, they know it also as the process through which this freedom from conflict is achieved and memorialized.   Individuals know peace as a mental state of calm and serenity, but also as an interjection commanding calm or silence or said in greeting or farewell.  The term is active as well as passive.  It is welcoming but can push back. It embraces individuals and communities of people.  But in its basic aspect, peace connotes positive connection. That positive connection CPE understands as fundamentally grounded in principles.

CPE knows ethics as systems of principles.  CPE understands ethics as systems of principles of human conduct, whether as individuals or as groups.  CPE understands as a fundamental idea that peace is the goal, the state of being.  Ethics is the method, the path to and defense of this state of being.  But neither systems nor principles are fungible.  CPE understands ethics as that set of principles grounded in human dignity, respect, duty and obligation that are elaborated in the “Statement of CPE Ethical Principles.”  

Organization:

CPE believes that its many tasks can be most efficiently organized into a number of different centers.  Each will have a specific focus.  All will work together on major projects and grants.  CPE Produces Knowledge Through the Consortium for Peace & Ethics Groups; CPE Communicates Knowledge through the Institutes for Peace & Ethics Groups; CPE Spreads Knowledge  Through the Council for Peace & Ethics Groups.

Writing and Research.  The task of producing knowledge is centered in the Consortium for Peace & Ethics.  The Consortium will serve as the base for research and scholarly studies.  Its core task will be the production of knowledge through research, analysis and related knowledge acquisition pursuits.  Knowledge will be produced through the Consortium, and the Consortium will also sponsor knowledge producing activities.

Publishing and Media Relations.  The task of communicating knowledge is the core function of the Institutes for Peace & Ethics.  The Institutes serves as the publishing wing of CPE. The publication group is responsible for the distribution of knowledge produced by the Consortium or by CPE sponsored efforts in all media.  The publication group is also responsible for the development and maintenance of electronic media and communication, as well as for press relations.

Projects and Events. The task of spreading knowledge is the principal focus of the Council for Peace & Ethics. The Council sponsors all education related events.  It is also responsible for the development and administration of symposia, classes and other similar events.  The Council, working with allies in civil society and other like-minded individuals and groups also engages in a broad spectrum of events.  It also sponsors the activities of others.