Two teams of students compete to address some of the most challenging ethical, social, and political questions of our time.

A panel of expert judges handles the scoring for each team based on their responses to the questions and one another. One winner emerges.

The competition is called the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl. A time-honored extracurricular activity, the Ethics Bowl can be found in several universities across the United States. 

Virginia Tech plans to form its own Ethics Bowl team and is searching for members. Open to undergraduate students from all colleges and majors, virtual meetings begin this semester with a regional competition slated for fall 2021.

The first informational session will be held February 11 at 8 p.m. via Zoom. Click here to join the Zoom session.

“Ethics Bowl provides a unique opportunity for students to think deeply about the most pressing social, political, and moral issues we face today. It combines the excitement of a team sport with the intellectual rigor of moral philosophy,” said Justin Horn, team coach and a collegiate assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy. “In Ethics Bowl, students practice engaging in thoughtful, respectful debate, hone their public speaking skills, and wrestle with deep questions. It’s also a lot of fun.”

The Virginia Tech Ethics Bowl team will host bi-monthly meetings in addition to periodic competitions. During team meetings, students will discuss ethical issues in a comfortable, intellectually rich environment.

As the team’s coach, Horn will organize meetings, help students research cases, and facilitate a positive environment for the team to development and hone their skills. Horn worked with an Ethics Bowl team at a previous institution.

Faculty members interested in supporting the Ethics Bowl team as a guest judge, mentor, or facilitator of discussions should contact Horn to learn how they can become involved.

For students and faculty members seeking more information about the Ethics Bowl team at Virginia Tech, contact Justin Horn.