South SFV Today

On a recent Saturday morning, Stanford senior Ursula Neuner engaged in a discussion about the ethical implications of rescuing wildlife at Yellowstone National Park. This conversation took place during the Regional Ethics Bowl, where Neuner and her team from Stanford's Practical Ethics Club (SPEC) examined various moral dilemmas.

The case involved Clifford Walters, who attempted to save a newborn bison from drowning but ultimately caused more harm. The calf was rejected by its herd and had to be euthanized. Walters was fined $1,000 for disturbing wildlife. The debate centered on whether this fine was ethically justified given Walters' intentions.

Neuner argued that the fine was warranted as it served as an example of judicial discretion. Her teammates supported this stance while considering potential judicial biases. Throughout the event, teams tackled issues like non-disclosure agreements in cases of sexual assault and the use of facial recognition technology.

The Stanford team emerged victorious against UC Santa Barbara and qualified for the national competition. Unlike traditional debates, Ethics Bowls focus on collaborative problem-solving without assigning pro or con positions.

"Both teams are almost working together to try to figure out what the true answer to the question is," said Neuner.

Collin Anthony Chen, director at Stanford's McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society and SPEC coach, emphasized the collaborative nature of these discussions: "There is an acknowledgment that these are hard questions and that we’re all in this together."

The team's preparation involved analyzing 15 cases selected by the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics. Students came from diverse academic backgrounds, contributing unique perspectives to their arguments.

Philosophy major Ally Yun highlighted ethics as integral to decision-making: "Ethics simply asks us to add one more consideration... Does this harm others? Is this fair?"

JD Pruett coached SPEC this year and appreciated how Ethics Bowls challenge participants' moral intuitions: "Things become more complicated in a wonderful way."

For Pruett and his teammates, participating in SPEC has been both intellectually enriching and socially transformative. They value their close-knit group that fosters deep discussions on complex issues.

"No matter their industry," Chen noted, "students will encounter significant areas of disagreement... It’s essential to be able to initiate productive conversations with others about these issues."

Pruett reflected on how SPEC has influenced his approach to discussions beyond academia: "It’s very hard to openly change your mind... The reality is new information should change your mind."

Neuner also pursues honors studies within Stanford's Ethics in Society Program.