Students apply ethical theory for decision-making and policy
The University of Mississippi Department of Philosophy and Religion is housed in Bryant Hall. Photo by Robert Jordan
OCTOBER 19, 2021 BY STAFF REPORT
The University of Mississippi Department of Philosophy & Religion is offering two events in the next few weeks exploring the ethical issues of timely topics.
“The Dialogue & Deliberation Initiative events—both Just Conversations and The Great Debate of 2021—bring people together to discuss ethical problems that involve multiple perspectives, competing interests, and complex empirical issues in a civil format for productive outcomes,” said Deborah Mower, the Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hume Bryant Associate Professor of Ethics and an associate professor of philosophy.
“We will be focusing on three topics from the slate of Fall 2021 Regional Ethics Bowl cases.”
UM students are conducting research to prepare for discussions about rock climbing on federally-protected Indigenous cultural sites, the Disney company image, and COVID-19 vaccine patents.
“There is no better educational model than the Ethics Bowl for teaching students how to apply ethical theory for decision-making and policy while at the same time fostering skills crucial for civil dialogue,” said Mower.
“It is so valuable to have our students thinking and working collaboratively toward solutions for these hot-button issues that our nation wrestles with currently.
UM Ethics Bowl team members celebrate winning the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship.
“The UM Ethics Bowl team won the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship, and it was largely through the strong support of faculty, staff, and administrators who helped them find the right experts as resources in their preparation.”
Just Conversations is a fun event run by students from the Ethical Policy Debates class for students to explore ethical issues and to think about potential solutions through low-key conversation on two hot-button issues at an in-person reception held October 25 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at Bryant Hall Gallery. Registration by Oct. 22nd at 5 pm is required at https://forms.gle/xCS1QNTpZvnvtxQv9.
The Great Debate of 2021 question is “Should patents be waived on COVID-19 vaccines to increase global vaccination rates?” The virtual event features presentation of a debate followed by Q and A between the teams, expert panelists, and the audience. All are welcome to attend, especially members of the campus community—faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
The debate will be live-streamed via Zoom Webinar on November 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and recorded. The link to the recording will be broadcast via a UM Today announcement.
“The goal is to allow faculty greater flexibility of timing to use the debate as a case or example in their classes as well as an extra credit option,” Mower said.
Debate demonstrates the ability to be both considerate and tenacious said Steven Skultety, professor of philosophy and chair of philosophy and religion.
“Students come out of this experience with a deep appreciation of ethics and new skills for engaging in civil discussion,” Skultety said.
Register in advance for The Great Debate of 2021 by November 9 at 5:00 PM Central Time at https://forms.gle/9dcEu9BMFiEJ1G2P8, and watch your email for confirmation of your registration, the Zoom link to the event, and a PDF of the case to read in advance.
For information on the Ethics Bowl or how to get involved, contact Deborah Mower at dsmower@olemiss.edu.