A space to talk about hard things The award-winning National High School Ethics Bowl teaches students how to thoughtfully engage with divisive topics — and with one another. BY M A RY LI D E PA R K E R ’ 1 0
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s it okay to “ghost” someone you’ve been dating? What is the value of objectivity in journalism? How should government officials communicate information about COVID-19? These questions are just a few of the topics presented to students during the National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB), a program that hosts regional bowls and then a national event each April in which teams discuss real-life ethical issues. The program is part of the Parr Center for Ethics in the department of philosophy. Unlike traditional high school debate clubs, NHSEB participants do not focus on winning an argument. Rather, judges give students a score based on the clarity and quality of their reasoning. “Combative, antagonistic debate Teams from Woods Charter and Eastern Alamance high schools discuss cases on DNA testing and obligations to family at the virtual January North Carolina High School Ethics Bowl.
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