Supporting Meaningful Ethical Conversations at the 2025 Ethics Bowl | College of Arts

Supporting Meaningful Ethical Conversations at the 2025 Ethics Bowl

Posted on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025

Dr. Gus Skorburg, associate professor of Philosophy and academic co-director of the Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence, speaks to attendees at the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl in the auditorium in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.
Dr. Gus Skorburg, associate professor of Philosophy and academic co-director of the Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence, speaks to attendees at the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl

On Saturday, February 8, the Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts at the University of Guelph hosted the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl, bringing together 13 high school teams from across the Greater Toronto Area for a day of thoughtful and animated ethical debate and discussion.

The event, which welcomed approximately 80 high school students and their coaches, saw teams tackle ethical issues ranging from cultural sensitivity in healthcare to youth voting rights. Heart Lake Secondary School's "Kantaloupes" emerged as champions, with Craig Kielburger Secondary School securing the runner-up position. Both teams will advance to the Ontario Championships at the University of Toronto Mississauga in March 2025, competing for a chance to represent Ontario at the national level.

Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl attendees in the auditorium in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.
Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl attendees in the auditorium in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.

What Students Experience at the Ethics Bowl

Secondary school students participating in the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.
Secondary school students participating in the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.

"What's remarkable about the Ethics Bowl format is how it encourages students to engage in collaborative rather than combative dialogue," said Dr. Gus Skorburg, associate professor of Philosophy and academic co-director of the Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CARE-AI). "In our current climate of political polarization, these students are learning to discuss challenging issues with both rigour and respect."

Secondary school students participating in the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.
Secondary school students participating in the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.

The event was supported by nearly 50 University of Guelph faculty members and graduate students who served as judges and moderators. "This impressive turnout from our academic community demonstrates our commitment to nurturing ethical reasoning skills in the next generation," commented Dr. Don Dedrick, chair of the Department of Philosophy. 

Secondary school students participating in the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl in the auditorium in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.
Secondary school students participating in the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl in the auditorium in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.

An Event with Far-Reaching Impact 

Dr. Andrew Bailey, acting dean of the College of Arts, emphasized the event's broader impact: "Beyond showcasing Guelph's strengths in Philosophy, the Ethics Bowl helps prospective students envision themselves as part of our university community. These participants are exactly the kind of thoughtful, engaged students we hope to attract."

Dr. Andrew Bailey, acting dean, College of Arts, speaks to attendees at the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl in the auditorium in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.
Dr. Andrew Bailey, acting dean, College of Arts, speaks to attendees at the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl in the auditorium in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.

The success of this year's event calls attention to the growing recognition of ethics education’s importance in preparing students for the challenges of contemporary society. It also highlights the University of Guelph's position as a leader in encouraging ethical conversations and critical thinking among youth.