Ethics Bowl to the Rescue!

Ethics Bowl is a debate variant practiced in elementary schools through retirement communities, from college classrooms to prisons, from Tasmania to Tennessee, were “for” and “against” positions are not assigned. Instead, teams are given the freedom (and responsibility) to decide for themselves what makes the most sense on tough moral and political issues, and tasked with making a reasoned, sincere case supporting their view.

There’s no need for teams to attack one another. There’s no requirement to pretend they alone possess the perfect, unassailable truth. Agreeing is OK. Admitting error is OK. Even changing your mind is OK (gasp!). Thoughtfulness, listening, a desire to learn rather than dominate-these are the refreshingly novel norms of Ethics Bowl.

And the people who know Ethics Bowl best believe it’s a powerful way to rejuvenate democratic norms, decrease political violence and increase mutual respect.

Ethics Bowl is becoming more popular every year, but is still comparatively rare. Yet the world is becoming more divided and violent by the day. So one purpose of this book is to inspire existing Ethics Bowlers to become bolder champions. We possess a partial antidote to the rancor and hubris threatening the foundations of civil society. No more pretending Ethics Bowl is just another extracurricular, no better than pickleball or 4-H. Time to put the good of the many above our inhibitions and start telling the world. That SuperSocrates character on the cover? That’s every Ethics Bowl organizer, judge, moderator, case writer, and coach. That’s you! Head up, shoulders back, rescue mode engaged.

My second audience-arguably my most important audience-is the traditional debate community. Debaters, you’re the reason we’re here. My main purpose in writing this book has been to convince you to give Ethics Bowl a try. I think we have shared interests, I think Ethics Bowl is a better way to teach confidence and advocacy, and I think you’ll find joining us enjoyable, easy, and more consistent with what you truly want. Thank you for being open to the possibility that debate might stand room for improvement. Thank you for being open to trying Ethics Bowl.

If you’re neither an Ethics Bowler nor a debater, this book is also for anyone interested in reasoned discussion, civic friendship, and mutual respect. This isn’t everyone. Experience suggests many (too many) prefer turmoil and drama. While I have great faith in humanity generally, we have to accept that some are locked in a tragic codependency with their perceived enemies. But to my fellow solution-oriented ambassadors of compassion and goodwill, my goal is to gain your nod and assent. The drama-lovers have a great deal of power and attention at the moment. But we do not have to accept the status quo.

The good news is that the main thing you’ll need to do is encourage friends and neighbors to check out the Ethics Bowl way. Anytime someone brings up a traditional debate competition, kindly reply, “Have you tried Ethics Bowl?” With enough of us planting seeds, the model will ultimately reach a critical mass and overtake debate organically.

Ethics Bowl is neither a magic bullet nor a sure thing. But retreating to the shadows isn’t a responsible option, for we share the one solitary habitable planet.

So join us, the thousands of organizers, coaches, judges, moderators, participants, fans, and sponsors who’ve decided this Ethics Bowl thing is worth a try. For the stakes are high and the hour is late. Yet it’s Ethics Bowl to the rescue!

To learn more visit EthicsBowl.org.