Zephyr Institute

The Zephyr Institute's center of the study of first principles provides a forum for scholars, students and professionals to engage life's deepest and most enduring questions. From our flourishing society gatherings to our annual Zephyr philosophy camp, first principles programs examine the fundamental concepts and assumptions on which popular moral, political and metaphysical theories are based.

Zephyr's center for the study of the professions and moral purposehelps stanford students think deeply about the philosophicalfoundations and the telos of culture-shaping professions. As stanfordstudents prepare to pioneer developments in technology, medicine,business and media, they need not only practical know-how, but also aprofound understanding of how their work fits into the broader contextof human history, what the nature and purpose of their professions are,and how innovations in these fields might best serve the human family.the center for the study of the professions and moral purpose offers anopportunity for vigorous debate and profound inquiry into the nature,goals and responsibilities of the professions most directly shapingsocial norms.