There were a total of twelve teams from schools all over Long Island. Everyone arrived at eight in the morning for a rousing breakfast of mini bagels and muffins. Teams used this precious time to cram for any last second thoughts. Then it was time for round one: shock advertising and poverty tours.
Pairs of teams first debated the ethical issues behind shock advertising. In the scenario a clothing line produced “shocking” advertisements, a picture of a martini glass with a cow’s eye in it for example, to gain attention. It worked, but at what price? When does advertising go too far?
The next case was poverty tours. Is it right to make money off of other’s misfortune, even if it helps them in the long run?
Next up, round two. A woman sold her virginity on the internet to pay of her college loans, but also to make a statement. Technically it was legal, since the act itself would happen in Nevada, where in certain areas, prostitution is legal. Was her decision ethical?
After that case, we discussed how society uses a GDP to measure the value of a human being. Should we measure a person based on how much money they make, or what they contribute to society.
Then we broke for a much-needed lunch. We gobbled down some cookies and sandwiches, while teams went over the up-coming cases. Then they announced the six teams that were moving on to the next round. Both Bethpage teams made it.
Round Three started with the issue of guns in schools. In recent years the occurrences of school shootings have been on the rise. For this reason, people wish to be able to protect themselves. Is it ethical for people to carry guns on college campuses? Or will their presence just add to the volatility of the already stressful environment.
The next case dealt with school newspapers. How far is a school required to go to protect the integrity of its students and paper? Where is the limit of school censuring?
Once the discussions were over, the teams met in the little theater to find the final two teams. Bethpage vs. Roslyn.
So both teams got up on stage, while everyone else looked on. We had the great opportunity of having County Executive, Ed Mangano, as one of the judges for the fourth and final round.
The first case was concerned about the teaching of intelligent design in the science curriculum. Should schools teach creationism along with evolution?
The final case was called “Babies Behind Bars.” Should incarcerated mothers be allowed to raise their young children with them in prison? Well, this is the case with certain jails in Mexico. However, are these the best conditions for raising a child?
Both teams did a fantastic job digging up the ethical issues behind each case and backing themselves up with logic. It was obvious that this was going to be a close call, but no one expected the score. Bethpage199 to Roslyn 200. Just one point!
Well, even though we didn’t win this one, we won’t let it get us down. Bethpage students are now getting prepared for the Stevens Institute Ethics Bowl next month.
No comments:
Post a Comment