IU Poynter ethics team wins national competition

What does it mean to be a U.S. citizen? Is the death penalty right? Is genetic testing on young athletes justified? These were some of the questions answered by the IU Poynter Center Ethics Bowl Team at the 10th Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Feb. 26 in Cincinnati. \nThe team won the national competition, beating out 39 other teams that participated in the event. Sponsored by the IU Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions, they defeated Weber State University in the quarterfinals and the University of Montana in the semifinals. Later, the team defeated Wright State University in the final round.\nEthical cases were given to each of the teams in advance, but they were not told what questions would be asked. Cases were written by a committee of ethics teachers, drawing from current events in the month leading up to the competition. At the bowl, the team was presented with a case and asked to present a viewpoint. Next, they had to respond to questions from the opposing team and judges. \nQuestions came from a range of sources. One of the issues discussed was the U.S. Patriot Act and its dilemma of privacy rights and duties of a citizen. Some questions were, "What does it mean to be a citizen" and "What rights should be guaranteed?" Another case, involving the rape of a minor, questioned the use of the death penalty. \nA further case dealt with carrying out genetic testing on young athletes to determine if they had a gene which would make their bodies more at risk for sports activity and injury. The question was, "Is it justified to protect certain populations in this manner?" The team argued no, saying it could too easily lead to a form of genetic profiling and contribute to a view of persons based on genetic determinism.\nStudying ethics allows people to explore issues on an in-depth and personal level. It can provide preparation for how to deal with dilemmas in our own lives, said Richard Miller, director of the Poynter Center and professor of religious studies. \n"Ethical backgrounds prepare students for the world and professional life. Acquiring skills of critical reasoning, providing reasons to justify a personal decision or institutional policy and forming values and principles through self-reflection give depth to an individual and improve the quality of the moral life," Miller said.\nThe five team members for IU were Khalil AbuGharbieh, Valerie Aquila, James Bourke, Jacob Fulk and Elizabeth Lewis. Their areas of study vary, with political science, journalism, philosophy, religious studies and history each represented. This variety contributed to the background needed to perform well at the Ethics Bowl.\n"It is important to educate people about ethics. Our team is not made up of only philosophy majors or one form of study. In defining what you think about issues, it helps talking through them with other people," said Lewis, a senior in religious studies, philosophy and political science. "A team atmosphere was necessary because without their input, it would be more difficult to figure out my own perspective." \nBeing on the ethics team has helped Lewis learn how to form a framework for thinking about issues as they present themselves. In the future, she plans to attend law school. Learning how to formulate ethical arguments is essential for a good life, she said. \nJames Bourke, a junior studying philosophy, political science and the individualized major program in nonviolence in theory and practice, noted the importance of morality in human thought.\n"Teaching ethics supplements a simply professional approach to education. Ethical thinking is relevant to living a consistent moral life. It has a special kind of relevance in people's lives," he said.\nIU has placed in the semi-finals of the Ethics Bowl for three of the last four years the team has been in existence. This was the first year it won the national event. \nSenior Jake Fulk has been on the team for the past three years. He stressed the importance of moral responsibility in our daily lives.\n"Studying ethics allows us to challenge the objectivity of morality and ensure that behavior and morality is not completely subjective. Ethical decision making and the maintenance of integrity is an important skill," Fulk said.\nStudents can contact Miller to get involved with the ethics team. Areas of interest, extent of background in ethics and extracurricular activities will be taken into consideration. Also, in the fall, the honors college has a mock ethics bowl. Announcements are sent out to recruit people interested in continuing involvement on a more regular basis.