Pictured left to right: Jack Jensen '19, Lauren Haines '20, Theology Teacher/ Ethics Coach Angela Steiert, Ria Debnath '20, Shawna Muckle '20
Is it morally acceptable for affluent persons to move into neighborhoods experiencing gentrification? How should a driverless car decide to act when it has to choose between endangering the lives of occupants or those outside the vehicle?
Jesuit High School's Ethics Team members have answers for those questions and more. Last weekend, the Crusaders took home the state title at the Oregon Ethics Bowl, a competitive yet collaborative event in which students discuss real-life ethical issues. In each round of competition, teams take turns analyzing cases about complex ethical dilemmas and responding to questions from the opposing team and a panel of judges.
This marks the second year that Jesuit has taken home the top honors at the state-wide competition. The Crusaders won their first state title in 2015. Now, they'll move on to the National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB) held at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where they'll compete with the top 24 high school teams from across the country on April 20.
"I have been privileged to see these students' dedication and heartfelt reflection of these timely questions," says Jesuit Theology Teacher and Ethics Team coach Angela Steiert. "We have challenged, listened and learned together and it has been our openness to new ideas that has allowed us the achievement of winning the state title."
An ethics bowl differs from a debate competition in that students are not assigned opposing views; rather, they defend whichever position they think is correct, provide each other with constructive criticism, and win by demonstrating that they have thought rigorously and systematically about the cases. Teams must also engage respectfully with all participants.
Data from NHSEB surveys shows that this event teaches and promotes ethical awareness, critical thinking, civil discourse, civic engagement, and an appreciation for multiple points of view.
Congratulations to our Oregon Ethics Bowl champs! Age Quod Agis. AMDG
Pictured: Jesuit's two Ethics Bowl teams compete against each other in the semifinal round of the state competition.