Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) was a remarkable polymath - philosopher, theologian, musician, physician, and humanitarian - whose legacy continues to inspire and guide our work. Schweitzer addressed some of society’s most profound challenges, including post-industrial alienation and environmental degradation, always with a vision that encompassed not only humanity but also non-human animals and the wider circle of life. 

At the heart of Schweitzer’s philosophy is Ehrfurcht vor dem Leben, or ‘reverence for life’, which he proposed as a pathway to restoring civilisation. His commitment to actualising these ideals - most notably through his medical mission at Lambaréné in Africa - established him as a global inspiration and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Schweitzer Institute for Environmental Ethics, inspired by this visionary thinker, examines the interplay between ecological values, such as sustainability, and humanity’s impact on nature. We are affiliated with Peterhouse, Cambridge University's oldest college, and most of our research and academic activity is conducted within the university. Our mission is to bring Schweitzer’s philosophy of reverence for life into dialogue with contemporary environmental ethics and to make these ideas accessible to a broad audience. 

The Institute is also a leading research centre for dynamic symmetry theory—a contemporary scientific framework analysing how complex systems maintain adaptability and resilience at the edge of order and chaos. This work directly informs our approach to environmental ethics, providing new insights into how societies and institutions can integrate ethical responsibility with the need for flexible, sustainable decision-making.

Our activities include:

• Hosting academic conferences and symposia.
• Publishing a peer-reviewed academic journal.
• Organising postgraduate study groups in environmental ethics.
• Funding a prestigious Research Fellowship at Peterhouse.
• Collaborating with like-minded organisations to advance a philosophy of reverence for life.

While we are primarily an academic think-tank, we recognise that research alone is insufficient to drive meaningful change. We are committed to translating our insights into actionable practices and policies, developing practical solutions to address the ethical challenges in humanity’s relationship with the wider circle of life.