Engaging discourse instead of contention: In a turbulent time, 'Ethics Bowl' offers students a less confrontational platform
In the heat of competition, two high school squads take the stage - one for the National Speech and Debate Tournament, the other for the National High School Ethics Bowl finals. While the former thrives on rhetorical warfare, the latter embraces the spirit of dialogue and mutual understanding.
In the Ethics Bowl, teams aren't confined to pre-assigned viewpoints. Instead, they delve into given cases, pondering the moral premises for themselves. This approach is key for fostering harmony, as it means teams can - and often do - reach agreement amidst the chaos. Scoring hinges on the depth of exploration and the consideration of various viewpoints, not just which team triumphs in a heated argument.
According to Robert Ladenson, the founder of Ethics Bowl, understanding ethical issues requires empathy and a genuine desire to grasp the perspectives of those who disagree. This ethos is evident as teams articulate their thoughts on controversial topics like whether it's ethical to clone a beloved pet, questioning each other with thought-provoking queries designed to deepen the conversation, rather than engage in attacks or refutations.
A case like "See Spot Clone" demonstrates the Ethics Bowl's method in action. Harpeth Hall from Nashville argues that adopting, rather than cloning, a pet is the more ethical choice, while Miami's Archimedean Upper Conservatory raises valid questions that expand the discussion, such as where pet breeders fall on the ethical spectrum.
The questions posed by the opposing team help teams explore the topic from multiple angles, encouraging them to look at the issue from various perspectives. In this friendly educational arena, disagreement is prized, as long as it stimulates meaningful conversation and fosters an appreciation of differing viewpoints.
As controversial topics unfold, Ethics Bowl participants grapple with questions that challenge their beliefs and push them to reconsider their ethical foundations. From the ethical responsibility to post about a hate crime on social media to confronting an uncle who makes sexist remarks at the dinner table, the cases are designed to test students' ability to think critically and articulate reasoned responses.
In this low-key setting, teams engage in heated discussions around glass tables adorned with stickers, sipping water from label-less water bottles. The environment isn't formal - some participants may sport hoodies and backpacks beside their notes, creating a decidedly casual yet focused atmosphere.
Despite the competitive nature of the event, students view the Ethics Bowl not as a battle to win but as a platform for engaging in thoughtful, respectful discussions. They attribute the success of the competition to its emphasis on truth and respect, rather than competition for the sake of victory.
For many participants, the Ethics Bowl offers a chance to develop skills that transcend the traditional realm of competitive debate. These young minds learn to listen attentively, question critically, and collaborate effectively, preparing them to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
Evidence from surveys suggests that the Ethics Bowl has a striking impact on its participants: almost 100% believe their critical thinking skills have improved, and the majority acknowledge that their ethical or political views have evolved. The success of this relatively young competition highlights a growing hunger among students for a different kind of intellectual competition, one that challenges them to engage in meaningful dialogue and inspires them to think on a deeper level.
"Something that's rare and unique about Ethics Bowl is that those who don't focus on winning and instead focus on truth and respect and getting to the moral heart of the issue will win," explains Mae Bradford from the winning team, BASIS Flagstaff from Arizona.
By nurturing empathy, collaboration, and mutual understanding among its participants, the National High School Ethics Bowl plays a pivotal role in cultivating well-rounded citizens capable of engaging in principled and respectful discussions about the most pressing ethical dilemmas of our time.
- The ruthless nature of rhetorical warfare is absent in the National High School Ethics Bowl, as debaters focus on understanding each other's perspectives and discussing moral premises.
- At the Ethics Bowl, teams are encouraged to explore the ethical implications of jobs like cloning a beloved pet, and debaters question each other in a way that deepens the conversation, not instigates attacks.
- In the Ethics Bowl final, teams profoundly disagree, but they prioritize meaningful conversation and the appreciation of differing viewpoints, rather than engaging in heated arguments solely to emerge victorious.
- As the Ethics Bowl encourages students to delve into general-news topics like the ethical responsibility to post about a hate crime on social media, it helps them refine their education-and-self-development skills, fostering an ability to think critically and articulate reasoned responses.
- A casual yet focused atmosphere pervades the Ethics Bowl competition, where debaters wear hoodies and backpacks, engages in lively deliberations around the table while sipping water from label-less bottles.
- After participating in the Ethics Bowl, students credit the experience for significantly improving their critical thinking skills, and many express that their ethical or political viewpoints have evolved, adopting a lifestyle that values empathy, collaboration, and mutual understanding.
