About—What is an Ethics Bowl?
An Ethics Bowl is a competitive yet collaborative event in which students analyze and discuss real-life, and timely, ethical issues. An Ethics Bowl differs from debate in that students are not assigned opposing views; rather they defend whatever position they believe is right. They win by showing they have thought more carefully, deeply, and perceptively about the cases in question. This event promotes ethical awareness, critical thinking skills, civil discourse, civic engagement, and an appreciation for diverse points of view.” (nhseb.unc.edu) The main reason for having an Ethics Bowl team is to provide students with an opportunity to listen to others, sharpen their critical thinking skills, and to be able to make better reasoned judgments in their lives and for the larger society in which we live.
The Ethics Bowl team will consist of students who will consider, discuss, and inquire into important and often controversial “cases,” scenarios over ethical issues that are supplied by the National Ethics Bowl. The cases require the student to consider views of which they may not agree and do so in a civil manner. By considering opposing views, students become critical thinkers who question what we ought to do and who supply well thought-out reasons to support a view.
The Ethics Bowl team will consist of students who will consider, discuss, and inquire into important and often controversial “cases,” scenarios over ethical issues that are supplied by the National Ethics Bowl. The cases require the student to consider views of which they may not agree and do so in a civil manner. By considering opposing views, students become critical thinkers who question what we ought to do and who supply well thought-out reasons to support a view.