The Ethics Bowl: Encouraging Polite Discussion Among Future Leaders.

High school students participate in debate and Ethics Bowl. Debate focuses on arguing for assigned positions, sometimes aggressively. Ethics Bowl involves discussing complex issues and exploring different viewpoints respectfully.

Debate teaches skills for law or politics, potentially lacking civic value. Ethics Bowl promotes respectful disagreement, crucial in today's society. Ethics Bowl differs from debate by not assigning fixed positions. Teams explore issues and can agree, with scoring based on depth of exploration.

Robert Ladenson describes ethical understanding as viewing issues from others' perspectives. This involves understanding differing viewpoints, not just refuting them. The Ethics Bowl case \"See Spot Clone\" illustrates this approach. Teams explore ethical considerations of cloning pets, considering various viewpoints.

One team argues against cloning due to homeless pets and potential health issues. The opposing team asks questions about the ethics of pet breeders and selfish pursuits. Judges pose further questions about cloning for noble purposes, like search-and-rescue dogs. The teams discuss the complexities, considering different angles.

Ethics Bowl values the process of conversation as much as the outcome. Cases involve real-life scenarios, philosophical issues, and everyday dilemmas for teenagers. Students find Ethics Bowl helpful in clarifying their thoughts on complex issues. It helps them consider different perspectives and make informed decisions.