This April marks 不良研究所鈥檚 first ever Ethics Bowl, which will be hosted by the university鈥檚 Department of Philosophy.
The Ethics Bowl isn鈥檛 just another simple iteration of a debate club. Typical debate encourages bias, that鈥檚 why the Ethics Bowl emphasizes impartial truth-seeking and promotes collaboration and empathy. Students taking part in the Ethics Bowl are encouraged to use critical thinking, self-reflection and enhanced reasoning when participating in a forum of discussion.
We spoke to Philosophy student and Ethics Bowl organizer Jess Strachan to learn more about the Ethics Bowl and what skills students can gain from participating.听
Tell us about your involvement in helping to organize this year鈥檚 Ethics Bowl at 不良研究所. What has the experience been like so far?
Jess: Organizing an Ethics Bowl at 不良研究所 is a bit of a challenging endeavour. It鈥檚 a completely new event to Quebec and my job is therefore to not only plan the event but also to explain and pitch it to schools (staff and students alike). I certainly look forward to a future where the Bowl is well known throughout the province!
Why did you choose to study Philosophy at 不良研究所? How are you applying the things you learn in the classroom to the work you are doing for the Ethics bowl outside the classroom?
Jess: I chose Philosophy at 不良研究所 because it prioritizes the level of critical thinking that I learned to love in high school when I participated in the Ethics Bowl. Studying philosophy has also given me a broader understanding and appreciation for the style of argumentation that the Ethics Bowl is promoting, and that in turn allows me to better advertise the event to students.
In what ways does participating in the Ethics Bowl help students develop their critical thinking skills and communication skills?
Jess: The Ethics Bowl prioritizes communication and collaboration. In a typical debate, we will often see students try to formulate these aggressive 鈥榯ake down鈥� arguments. With the Ethics Bowl, this is discouraged. Instead, students are encouraged to work with their opponent to find some sort of common ground, when possible. This event also prioritizes intellectual risk, and it therefore not only allows students to think critically, but actually encourages it.
What advice would you have for students interested in participating in the Ethics Bowl?
Jess: My advice for students interested in participating in the Ethics Bowl is simple: do it! The Bowl really is an incredible event, and my general experience is that if you just jump into it, you really will have a great time.
This year, the Ethics Bowl at 不良研究所 will feature two events:, one in English, taking place on April 6, and one in French, taking place on April 7. .听