What is the Ethics Bowl?
The Ethics Bowl is a debate-style competition in which university teams respond to moral questions arising out of current events. In each round, two teams are scored by a panel of judges on their responses to the question and to each others’ responses. The top 4 (out of 20) teams in each regional competition, are invited to participate in the national bowl.
Why is it important?
View the full case statements (only cases 1-12).
In the era of "alternative facts," are reason and objective truth dead? Who will discern what is and is not "fake news?" The Ethics Bowl calls students to a higher order of discussion and reason, imparting on them the skills of critical thinking, discernment, and constructive debate. It gives them real-world practice on how to converse and think, without telling them what to believe.
At a national scale, this could do wonders for our national dialogue. It can do the same locally. For students, it allows them to develop tools that are transferable to all industries, sectors, careers and walks-of-life. They learn how to organize, present and defend an argument, analyze a real-world moral dilemma, discuss difficult issues with respect, and build confidence in their leadership skills. Our team, inclusive of students of different majors and backgrounds, reaches all areas of the USFSP student body.
How will donations be used?
Thanks to a generous challenge gift from David and Lisa Hood, we are halfway to our goal of $10,000. They are challenging YOU to raise the remaining $5,000, so make a gift today! Proceeds will support the continued development of the USFSP Ethics Bowl Team. Your gift will contribute towards expenses related to travel, coaching and practice, competition fees, scholarships and supplies for the team.
The USFSP Ethics Bowl Team is sponsored by USFSP's Bishop Center for Ethical Leadership. The mission of the Center is to prepare students for work and life by helping them develop good leadership skills and behaviors. We define good leadership as being both effective and ethical.
Steps to making your impact
- Donate any dollar amount you see fit
- Share the link to your Facebook friends to maximize your impact
Our team thanks you for your support! With your help, you're supporting the teaching of ethics in our future leaders!
Latest Updates
Case Digests - Hear The Debates Nov. 4
David O'Neill, Oct 24, 2017
Here are digests of each of the 12 cases for which the students are preparing arguments.
The bowl is open to the public. Hear these cases debated November 4th, at St. Petersburg College's Epicenter. There are four rounds, the first beginning at 9:00am and the final beginning at 5:00pm.
Introducing the 2017 USFSP Ethics Bowl Team!
David O'Neill, Oct 17, 2017
Introducing the 2017 USFSP Ethics Bowl Team! They have been diligently preparing their case arguments for the November 4th competition — just two weeks away! If you’d like to learn more about the structure of the tournament, click here.
The team’s development is also supported by coaches Leila Davis and Jared Morganstein, and researchers Grace Hussain (Junior-Sociology), Jackson Battle (Sophomore-History), and Megan Nyland (Junior-PreBusiness)
Choose a giving level
$20
The Home Team
A gift of $20 represents the 20 teams competing in the Southeastern Regional Ethics Bowl.
$60
Case in Point
Support the USFSP Ethics Bowl Team with a donation of $60 for the 60 total possible points per debate round.
$100
Working Smarter
Put in $100 as the students put in 100 hours of preparation before the Regional Ethics Bowl Competition.
$204
Formative Year
Your gift of $204 represents the year the USFSP Ethics Bowl Team first came together in 2004.
$500
School of Thought
Two gifts of $500 provide a scholarship for one student to continue future leadership and ethics education.
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