Rachel Jonker part of Winning Ethics Bowl Team

2010 Nov 15

Rachel Jonker of Brandon is a member of the Taylor University Ethics Bowl team that captured the Central States Ethics Bowl regional championship earlier this month.

Taylor sent two teams to the competition, placing 1st and 4th; both qualified for the national championship.

"In every match, both teams worked together marvelously," said Taylor faculty member and team co-sponsor Dr. Jim Spiegel. "They demonstrated poise, articulateness, extensive knowledge of the factual backgrounds as well as a keen grasp of the pertinent moral principles."

Twenty teams from 14 colleges and universities debated topics ranging from NCAA regulations and Facebook policies to the use of coal power in developing nations. Spiegel said the participants were given 14 possible topics beforehand to allow them to prepare thoughtful presentations and meaningful rebuttals to opposing viewpoints. The Taylor teams competed against squads from Valparaiso, Butler, Xavier, Marian, DePauw and Indiana University, posting a combined record of four wins, one loss, and one tie.

Judging at the events is based on the quality of debate and presentation in the following criteria:

• clarity and intelligibility

• focus on ethically relevant factors

• avoidance of ethical irrelevance

• deliberative thoughtfulness

It marks the fifth time in 10 years a Taylor Ethics Bowl team will advance to the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl, which will be held in the spring in Cincinnati, Ohio.