Still finalizing your course schedule for the fall? Consider enrolling in PHIL 304: Ethics Bowl!

Ethics Bowl is a national competition where teams identify the ethically relevant considerations raised by a set of case studies. After reflection and deliberation, team members arrive at a position on what should be done. In competition, teams are not assigned a “pro” or a “con” side to argue. Instead, each team presents their reasoning for their position and opposing teams can offer critical remarks in support of or in objection to that position.

In PHIL 304: Ethics Bowl, you will prepare for competition by learning a bit of ethical theory, reflecting on and researching cases, and preparing and presenting positions in classroom discussion. Near the end of the course, you will have the option to participate in the regional Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl competition, competing against other regional schools such as Cal State Bakersfield, Occidental College, and the University of Nevada. 

In reflecting on the cases, we will discuss questions such as:

• Is any bail system that uses monetary deposits unjust given widespread wealth inequality in the U.S.? 
• Under what conditions, if any, is cheating morally permissible? 
• Should affirmative action policies be reinstated in California? 
• What ethical considerations should guide our answers to these questions?

PHIL 304 meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00-12:15 PM. If you enjoy rich philosophical discussions, joining a team of peers with similar intellectual interests, and a welcoming, collaborative classroom, enroll! This course does not assume any background in philosophy. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to the instructor, Professor Macy Salzberger, at salzberger@sfsu.edu.