Watch this video of students from Bethpage High School participating in an ethics bowl

An Ethics Bowl is a collaborative yet competitive event, more nuanced than debate, in which teams are presented with a series of wide-ranging ethical dilemmas and are asked to analyze them; they are then judged on the basis of their analyses. An exciting tournament, it is also a way for students to gain valuable insight into ethical and philosophical issues.

During each round, a moderator poses a question to two teams composed of five students and the competition follows a predetermined format encompassing team order and time limitations. All teams receive the cases and questions about six weeks in advance so that they can prepare their responses with their coaches; the questions posed during the competition are selected from those already distributed. The panel of judges includes not only those with philosophy backgrounds but businesspeople, politicians, and members of various professions in the community to underscore the fact that ethics is not simply an academic subject. We will also invite the press to attend. Each team will have the opportunity to compete in several rounds to advance to the semifinals and then the championship round. Certificates of participation will be given to everyone; the winners of the competition (and their schools) will receive special recognition. Why should my students participate?

The ethical dilemmas used in a high school ethics bowl range from those particularly relevant to young students (questions about cheating, plagiarism, peer pressure, use and abuse of social media, the right to privacy, relationship responsibilities) to political and social issues (free speech, gun control, eco-tourism) and bioethical issues (cloning, parental consent).

Why should my students participate?

According to Michael Steinmann, director of the Stevens Institute High School Ethics Bowl, the events promote intellectual, personal, and social growth. They deepen students’ understanding of the complexity of ethical issues; increase their sense of personal responsibility; and promote a model of rational, civil discourse so essential to functioning democracies.

Additional Resources

For even more detailed information about creating an ethics bowl, the PLATO Network (Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization) has posted a complete ethics bowl guide.

Watch the video

Ethics Bowl Training Video
Molloy College has produced a video capturing the events at a 2011 SFF-sponsored ethics bowl training for high schoolers.