Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- ethical / ˈɛθ ɪ kəl / (adj.) – related to beliefs about what is right and wrong, or what is good and bad behavior
Example:The discussion about testing products on animals brings up many ethical issues.
- dilemma / dɪˈlɛm ə / (n.) – a situation in which a person has to choose between two or more difficult options
Example:The company faced several dilemmas about how to balance employee well-being with company profits.
- deliberately / dɪˈlɪb ər ɪt li / (adv.) – in a way that is careful and slow, taking time to think before acting
Example:The chef cut the vegetables deliberately to make sure each piece was the right size.
- consensus / kənˈsɛn səs / (n.) – an agreement or decision that everyone or most people in a group can accept
Example:After a long discussion, the committee finally reached a consensus on the new rules for the event.
- pursuit / pərˈsut / (n.) – an activity that someone spends time doing and enjoys
Example:Traveling has become a fun and exciting pursuit for James, as he visits a new country every year.
Article
Read the text below.
Ethics Bowl may look superficially similar to debate—with two teams discussing a controversial or difficult topic—but they are actually very different.
“So, Ethics Bowl more broadly describes an activity for students of varying ages to come together and approach these really challenging topics, ethical dilemmas,” says Leo Kirby, director of the National High School Ethics Bowl program, housed at the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill.
“And the goal is to help them learn how to talk about those challenging topics deliberately, collaboratively, reach consensus.”
In Ethics Bowl, teams are not assigned a specific position on an issue that they have to defend, regardless of their beliefs. Instead, team members are given a set of cases to discuss and make their own decisions about what they believe to be the true or best position. Teams can, and often do, come to similar conclusions. It is OK for them to agree. Scoring is based on how deeply they explore the issues, including other viewpoints.
One of this year’s cases: “If it were possible to erase painful or distressing memories, would it be ethical to do so?”
The high school program at UNC started in 2012.
“We’re trying to steer away from the type of crushing victory over your opponent that something like debate might encourage,” says Kirby, who discovered ethics bowl as a UNC undergraduate. “We absolutely do not reward putting down the other team.”
Dr. Jenny Lyman watched her older daughter compete in debate and thinks ethics bowl is a kinder, gentler pursuit.
“It’s not about beating somebody … I think the judges care about how you present, how you respond, how you react to their questions, and I think all of that matters, which I like,” she says in between rounds at the UNC student union recently. “You know, politeness and civility and open discussion instead of just me convincing you I’m right and you’re wrong. And I think we need a little bit more of that in the world these days.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Ethics Bowl focuses on polite, respectful discussion, not winning an argument. Do you think it’s more important to win an argument or to understand different opinions? Why? In your opinion, how can people still respect each other even if they completely disagree? Discuss.
- Jenny Lyman said the world needs more politeness, civility, and open discussion, not just trying to prove who’s right or wrong. Do you agree with her? Why or why not? Do you think this is easy to achieve? Why do you say so? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Ethics Bowl students talk about difficult, real-world topics. Do you think young people should talk more about serious or difficult topics? Why or why not? How can discussing tough subjects benefit people and society? Discuss.
- One Ethics Bowl case asked: Is it ethical to erase painful or sad memories? If you could erase one sad or painful memory, would you do it? Why or why not? What made your decision hard or easy? Discuss.
