University of Findlay Hosts Annual High School Ethics Bowl

Teams representing Findlay High School and Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh, PA) met in the championship round of the 11^th Annual Ohio Regional High School Ethics Bowl hosted by University of Findlay on Saturday, Feb. 7. Findlay High School won the round with a two-to-one vote from competition judges, including varsity members of UF’s collegiate ethics bowl team as well as University faculty and staff.

Organized by Matthew Stolick, professor of philosophy, and sponsored by the department of English, philosophy, religious studies, and the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership, the Ohio Regional High School Ethics Bowl is the longest running high school ethics bowl in Ohio. In addition to Findlay High School and Shady Side Academy, teams representing Hilliard-Darby, Hilliard-Davidson, and Western Reserve Academy also competed. More than 1,000 students nationwide competed in regional contests. Regional winners have a chance to compete in the National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB) to be held in April in Chapel Hill, N.C.

According to the NHSEB website, the competition “promotes respectful, supportive, and in-depth discussion of ethics among high school students nationwide.”

Unlike debate contests, ethics bowls invite collaboration as teams of students to think carefully and analytically about complex issues while respecting the diverse perspective of their peers. The ethics of brain-computer interface (BCI) chips, rights to privacy, and access to natural environments were among the complex issues students analyzed.

“Ethics Bowl participants show skills we want to see in all parts of our society,” said Stolick.

The students practice reflective listening, deep thinking, and clear, concise communication on complicated ethical issues. According to Stolick, “The event reminds us of the value of civil discussion, respectful dialogue, and collaborative decision-making.”

To learn more about all that the University of Findlay offers, please visit https://www.findlay.edu/.