Ethics round table | Dio hosts

ETHICS

ETHICS ROUND TABLE

Recently, eight students from Year 10 participated in the first ever Ethics Olympiad at Diocesan, along with senior students from nine other Auckland schools. Students were provided with a unique opportunity to engage with the other teams in discussions around interesting and important ethical issues. Each team had to construct good moral and ethical arguments based on a scenario that was given to them. They had to collaboratively form their arguments and listen carefully to the other team, not through debating the points but through clear, concise, respectful discourse.

In preparation, Ms Blumenfeld and Mrs Buswell met with the eight students over a period of about six weeks. The students were Ella Riley, Lucy Russ, Lucy Tucker, Margaret Su, Madeleine Jorgenson, Sarah Ellis, Sarah Wong and Grace Fields. In each session they used one scenario and discussed the issues surrounding the ethical problems within it. “Prior to the event, our group met up to prepare. Each time, we would start by diving headfirst into a case study about a particular topic. Whether it was ‘China’s social credit system’ or ‘Nazi-saluting pugs’, the studies were as diverse as they were fascinating. After analysing the scenario, we answered questions about it. This was when we decided where we stood in terms of controversial areas of the situation and explained what reasoning we had to validate our arguments. Everyone had an opportunity to participate in the discussions, and by the end of the practice we left with far more knowledge than we came in with, and with our eyes opened to the variety of perspectives on a topic that at first we had seen as transparent. I expected to be sitting in a room writing about archaic, hypothetic moral quandaries that I couldn’t relate to or expand on. In reality, the Ethics Olympiad was an interesting and compelling opportunity to think in abstract ways about real, current topics. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience, and I’m confident that all the other participants did as well.

“There were three rounds, and in each you sat down with your team, the opposition and the adjudicator. Teams took turns presenting their views on an ethical question, while the other team would critique their argument. It differed from debating in that we weren’t required to disagree with them, just to draw attention to flaws and weaknesses in their reasoning. After

Competing in the Ethics Olympiad was an experience that not only allowed students to explore their view of contentious moral debates, but also to expand their knowledge of global issues. Nina Blumenfeld

three rounds we had looked at six cases and had participated in some animated conversations. The topics we ended up discussing might seem totally unrelated to the untrained ear. My team were left talking about how corporations such as Love Island and Victoria’s Secret related to our views on private money in Academia, as well as where we draw the line between freedom of speech and hate speech with reference to training pets.” Sarah Wong

“The Ethics Olympiad was an event that engaged new parts of my thinking and questioning of knowledge in an exciting way that I never would have discovered without the opportunity to participate in the competition. Being part of a team of like-minded girls and working together to put across our ideas to other teams and the judges stimulated excitement and eagerness to prove ourselves as ethical thinkers. It was really interesting to listen to and understand others’ perspectives on the issues being discussed, showcasing the true extent to which ethical issues can be interpreted in our modern-day society. Working together as two different teams through discussion to uncover the meaning and ethics behind different situations from a range of genres unfolding all over the world was an experience like no other.” Lucy Russ

“On the day, I felt nervous coming into the event, but as soon as the discussions started, I felt at ease. Nobody was excluded or ignored because we were able to peacefully debate the matter at hand while including all ideas and opinions. Both teams respected each other, and we avoided arguing. This helped the more shy members of the group, such as me, to speak with confidence. During the discussion, I was able to learn about the topic discussed but I also gained skills such as listening, note taking, brainstorming and looking at a topic from another point of view. Many of my team’s points were partly improvised, therefore developing our ability to think on our feet and confidently express an opinion. It was fun to be a part of a thoughtful, creative team, and it was a great opportunity for anyone who has strong opinions but is willing to be open-minded. Overall, the Ethics Olympiad was a great experience for me to develop my thinking skills and to gain knowledge.” Margaret Su

“This was definitely a new experience for me. I did have previous debating experience going into this, but I think that everyone would agree that this was something quite different and experimental. Yet I believe it really gave me a valuable experience to cherish and remember. I am very thankful for the opportunity to represent the School in this event, especially seeing that all the variety of ethical issues really interested me!” Madeleine Jorgenson

“The process of preparing for the competition was one in which I learnt many new things about the issues concerning the world in this day and age, as well as learning new strategies and methods to frame my point of view about the matter at hand. The cases we studied broadened my perspective about challenging ethical problems, and how to solve and debate them. The competition itself was a fantastic way to gain insight into the views of other people and put to practice all the new skills we had learned in the weeks running up to the competition. The Ethics Olympiad was a hugely enjoyable event and an overall great experience.” Lucy Tucker “The Ethics Olympiad was an awesome experience. It was very helpful to practise speaking skills, teamwork, deep thinking and to contemplate topical and controversial global ethical questions. On competition day I worked with a great team of Dio girls. We worked together very well and I think we gave some very plausible arguments in answer to the questions. It also gave us a chance to see another team’s perspectives. Overall the competition was a very enjoyable and interesting experience. I hope to compete again next year!” Ella Riley

Nina Blumenfeld Director of the Centre for Ethics

EAT MY LUNCH

On Friday 14 June, on Diocesan’s 115th birthday, once again the Student Ethics Committee collaborated with the successful social enterprise company Eat My Lunch. This is the fourth year that the Ethics Committee has supported the company, founded by Lisa King and Ian Buchanan in 2015, which focuses on tackling poverty in New Zealand by giving a hungry child a healthy lunch.

The members of the Student Ethics Committee support this worthy cause as one in four children in New Zealand lives in poverty and many of these children go without lunch on a daily basis. Furthermore, we have been impressed with the combined entrepreneurial and charitable approach of Eat My Lunch. In less than two years, it has delivered a huge number of lunches to children in decile 1 and 2 schools in Auckland and is in the process of expanding their reach to Hamilton and Wellington. This is a fantastic way for Kiwis to help other less fortunate Kiwis!

Thank you to everyone who bought a lunch!