The Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl is a debate competition sponsored by the Association for Practical and Applied Ethics. Ethics bowl events center around discussing complex and pressing moral questions based on contemporary case examples. Unlike traditional debate, teams are not judged on the basis of oration. Instead, students are evaluated only on their ability to present arguments that thoughtfully and thoroughly engage with the cases and the other teams’ arguments. Teams do not bring pre-written materials and generally remain seated with their team for the discussion. This tends to produce a casual and friendly environment during competition. Teams that place highly at a regional competition win an invitation to compete at the national competition.
OU's ethics bowl team also participates in the Oklahoma Schools of Character Statewide Student Ethics Challenge, a statewide competition held annually in Oklahoma City or Tulsa.
No prior experience with debate, ethics, or philosophy is required. Team membership is open to undergraduate students of all majors. Students who join ethics bowl will learn how to think through complex moral questions and how to use ethical frameworks to clarify these questions.
If you're interested in participating in ethics bowl at OU, please send an email to philosophy@ou.edu.
In this dynamic and engaging course, you'll explore the moral complexities of real-world issues—everything from technology and bioethics to politics and environmental justice. You'll not only build essential analytical skills but also engage in spirited debates with peers, all while preparing for state and regional competitions.
Learn the skills necessary for law school, medical school, graduate school, and the professional world!
This course will be offered in Fall 2026!
Ethics Bowl at OU is made possible in part by donations to the program.
