The next Ethics Bowl will be scheduled for Fall semester 2017
Teams of four will compete by answering questions concerning ethical dilemmas that are posed by a panel of faculty.
Refreshments will be provided.
For further information contact Prof. Ashley Graham-Kennedy (kennedya@fau.edu) or Prof. Mark Tunick (tunick@fau.edu).
Past Ethics Bowls Winners:
2015 (March 27): Winning team: John Blozinski, Kaitlyn Shotwell, Sean Crary, Nolan McKenna and Andrew Faris.
2016 (March 30): Winning team: Dacia Medley, Jeanelle Angus, Christy Folk, and Siree Reddy.
Quick Guide to Ethics Bowl
Ethics Bowl is a discussion of controversial ethics issues, organized as a debate. The competition consists of rounds between teams of 3-5 students. Teams are given an ethical issue shortly before the round begins. A coin flip determines which team opens and which side of the issue the team takes. Each team may briefly confer and then has several minutes to present its position. After each team makes their case, team members respond to questioning by the judges. Judges then determine the winning side by allocating points based on delivery, quality of the argument, team appearance, the extent to which each team member participated equally, and showed respect to the opposing team, and the thoughtfulness of the responses to the judges' questions. Ethics Bowl is not an aggressive debate. You’re out to win by effectively pointing out flaws in your opponent’s argumentation, but be cordial.
Pointers
Consider the perspectives of all stakeholders, and respond to objections.
Point out any caveats and qualifications that your team believes makes your position more ethical.
Claims should be supported by persuasive reasoning and/or evidence. Don't just assert that, e.g., 'steroid use is unethical'. You must explain why it is unethical.
Ethically Supporting Your Arguments
Students should draw on ethical principles. Ethical principles give ethical arguments focus and clarity as well as offer clear-cut reasons for judges to give your team the win. In a round, when using an ethical principle, you should state the principle, define the principle in easy to understand terms, and then state why the principle applies to the case.
A Few Commonly Used Principles:
The principle of utility- an action is ethical if it creates the most good or happiness for the greatest number of people.
The Harm Principle- individual liberties may be justifiably limited only if doing so prevents others from being harmed; I cannot be coerced merely for my own good.
The Offense Principle- individual liberties may be justifiably limited if doing so prevents others from being offended.
The Organization Ethic- an organization may limit the liberties of members of that organization if it helps the overall organization
The Veracity Ethic- always tell the truth
Retributive Justice- punishments must be proportional to crimes and should be meted out because it is deserved and not to obtain some social benefit
Reversibility: treat others as you feel you should be treated
Kant’s Categorical Imperative-all human beings have equal worth and therefore one should act according to maxims that can be willed as a universal law; and one should respect human beings as ends-in-themselves and not use them merely as means to achieve one's purposes (exploitation)