Ethics Bowl to the Rescue!

<p>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 <strong>teams are given the freedom (and responsibility) to decide for themselves</strong> what makes the most sense on tough moral and political issues and tasked with making a reasoned sincere case supporting their view.</p><p></p><p>There's no need for teams to attack one another. There's no requirement to pretend they alone possess the perfect unassailable truth. <strong>Agreeing is OK. Admitting error is OK. Even changing your mind is OK (gasp!).</strong> Thoughtfulness listening a desire to learn rather than dominate-these are the refreshingly novel norms of Ethics Bowl.</p><p></p><p>And the people who know Ethics Bowl best believe it's a powerful way to <strong>rejuvenate democratic norms decrease political violence</strong> and increase mutual respect.</p><p></p><p>Ethics Bowl is becoming more popular every year but is still comparatively rare. <strong>Yet the world is becoming more divided and violent by the day. </strong>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 <strong>SuperSocrates </strong>character on the cover? That's every Ethics Bowl organizer judge moderator case writer and coach. <strong>That's <em>you!</em> </strong>Head up shoulders back rescue mode engaged.</p><p></p><p>My second audience-arguably my most important audience-is the traditional debate community. <strong>Debaters you're the reason we're here.</strong> 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. <strong>Thank you</strong> for being open to the possibility that debate might stand room for improvement. Thank you for being open to trying Ethics Bowl.</p><p></p><p>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 <strong>to my fellow solution-oriented ambassadors of compassion and goodwill</strong> my goal is to gain your nod and assent. The drama-lovers have a great deal of power and attention at the moment. But <strong>we do not have to accept the status quo. </strong></p><p></p><p>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 <strong>Have you tried Ethics Bowl? </strong>With enough of us planting seeds the model will ultimately reach a critical mass and overtake debate organically.</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>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. </strong>For the stakes are high and the hour is late. Yet it's Ethics Bowl to the rescue!</p><p></p><p><strong><em>To learn more visit EthicsBowl.org.</em></strong></p>