The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, commonly known simply as Scottish Rite, or 32° Masons, is one of several Rites in the worldwide fraternity known as Freemasonry.

The Scottish Rite is loyal to the essential purpose and principles of Freemasonry. Its ultimate quest for all its members is simple: "to be made better than ourselves." The Scottish Rite seeks to strengthen the community and believes that each man should act in civil life according to his individual judgment and the dictates of his conscience.

A member of the Scottish Rite seeks to:

• exalt the dignity of every person, the human side of his daily activities, and the maximum service to humanity, and

• aid mankind's search in God's universe for identity, for development and for destiny, and thereby produce better men in a better world, happier men in a happier world and wiser men in a wiser world.

By definition, the Scottish Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry that a Master Mason may join for further exposure to the principles of Freemasonry.

In the United States the Scottish Rite is officially recognized by Grand Lodges as an extension of the degrees of Freemasonry.

The Scottish Rite builds upon the ethical teachings
and philosophy offered in the craft lodge, or Blue Lodge, through dramatic presentation of the individual degrees.