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Purpose The Miller Khoshkish Foundation is organized to: 1. Enhance the civic and modern aspects of education to combat dogmatism, fanaticism, superstition and fundamentalism 2. Support the education and broad appreciation of classical arts, music, literature and culture 3. Encourage basic scientific research that does not have commercial goals in view. Rationale These three areas have been chosen because: 1. Civics and the secular framework are the foundations upon which modern civilized society is built. When people respect social ethics, behave towards one another with civility and keep their faiths and beliefs to themselves, society lives in harmony. Recent surges in religious fundamentalism and the encouragement of faith-based activities risk reducing civil concord among people and enflaming fanaticism, superstition and ignorance. There is a need to uphold institutions and programs that demystify the public – particularly the young – and help them realize that their faith is their own personal affair, that what they believe in cannot necessarily be enacted as social law, and that in order to live peacefully within the society they should understand and behave according to civil and social ethics. 2. Through the ages, the rebellion of new generations against established and traditional art and culture has served as the breeding ground for new art forms, and those of them that have withstood the test of time have survived to enrich human cultural heritage. However, excessive modern commercialization of popular culture and art and the profitability criteria of the agencies that control them are pushing the quality of such works towards the lowest common denominator. That trend has reduced the general public's access to classical art and culture and is depriving new generations from exposure to the rich sources serving as inspiration for their rebellion and creative talents. Programs that expose the public and the younger generation to the classic cultural and artistic heritage of mankind should be fostered. 3. The technologies that today provide us with comforts unparalleled in history owe their development to the curiosity and spirit of discovery of scientists who learned for the sake of knowing and reflected for the sake of understanding. They did not stop to ask "what is it good for?" and did not stop their research if they could not find a utilitarian and profitable end for it. Today, a negative answer to this question can abort a scientific endeavor that may appear to have only enlightenment in view. In the long run, this tendency may well prove detrimental to the very people who seek and support scientific research only for utilitarian goals because it discourages open-ended scientific inspiration and encloses science within the technological loop. Serious scientific inquiry should be sustained even when its utilitarian application is not apparent. Mode of Operation The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding. Our Founders Anoush Khoshkish Anoush Khoshkish (d. 2017) Professor of International Law and International Political Economy. He received his Ph.D. in International Law from the Graduate Institute of International Studies, University of Genevea, Switzerland. Irene B. Miller Retired corporate director, chief financial officer, investment banker, chemist, and amateur violinist. She holds an M.S. from Cornell University and a B.S. from the University of Toronto. e-mail: contact@millerkhoshkishfoundation.org

Purpose

The Miller Khoshkish Foundation is organized to:
1. Enhance the civic and modern aspects of education to combat dogmatism, fanaticism, superstition and fundamentalism
2. Support the education and broad appreciation of classical arts, music, literature and culture
3. Encourage basic scientific research that does not have commercial goals in view.

Rationale

These three areas have been chosen because:

1. Civics and the secular framework are the foundations upon which modern civilized society is built. When people respect social ethics, behave towards one another with civility and keep their faiths and beliefs to themselves, society lives in harmony. Recent surges in religious fundamentalism and the encouragement of faith-based activities risk reducing civil concord among people and enflaming fanaticism, superstition and ignorance. There is a need to uphold institutions and programs that demystify the public – particularly the young – and help them realize that their faith is their own personal affair, that what they believe in cannot necessarily be enacted as social law, and that in order to live peacefully within the society they should understand and behave according to civil and social ethics.

2. Through the ages, the rebellion of new generations against established and traditional art and culture has served as the breeding ground for new art forms, and those of them that have withstood the test of time have survived to enrich human cultural heritage. However, excessive modern commercialization of popular culture and art and the profitability criteria of the agencies that control them are pushing the quality of such works towards the lowest common denominator. That trend has reduced the general public's access to classical art and culture and is depriving new generations from exposure to the rich sources serving as inspiration for their rebellion and creative talents. Programs that expose the public and the younger generation to the classic cultural and artistic heritage of mankind should be fostered.

3. The technologies that today provide us with comforts unparalleled in history owe their development to the curiosity and spirit of discovery of scientists who learned for the sake of knowing and reflected for the sake of understanding. They did not stop to ask "what is it good for?" and did not stop their research if they could not find a utilitarian and profitable end for it. Today, a negative answer to this question can abort a scientific endeavor that may appear to have only enlightenment in view. In the long run, this tendency may well prove detrimental to the very people who seek and support scientific research only for utilitarian goals because it discourages open-ended scientific inspiration and encloses science within the technological loop. Serious scientific inquiry should be sustained even when its utilitarian application is not apparent.

Mode of Operation

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding.

Our Founders

Anoush Khoshkish

Anoush Khoshkish (d. 2017) Professor of International Law and International Political Economy. He received his Ph.D. in International Law from the Graduate Institute of International Studies, University of Genevea, Switzerland.

Irene B. Miller

Retired corporate director, chief financial officer, investment banker, chemist, and amateur violinist. She holds an M.S. from Cornell University and a B.S. from the University of Toronto.

e-mail: contact@millerkhoshkishfoundation.org