Responsibility and Practical Ethics Schools' Day 2021

At the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics we've been thinking about responsibility and how we can all do more to tackle some of the biggest ethical problems facing us today.

We invited school teams from Years 11-13 to take part in our Practical Ethics and Responsibility video competition, by sending us videos about an ethical problem and how they think responsibility is involved. We received some wonderful entries, and are delighted to share the four winning videos with you, from the superb teams at Hasmonean High School for Girls, Oxford International College, Parmiter's School and Valentines High School (the videos can be found below).

These four teams went on to compete against each other in our Practical Ethics and Responsibility Schools' Day, where they took part in competition debates, had lots of opportunities to discuss ethics with our researchers, and got a taste of University life.

The debate judges were genuinely impressed by the quality of the teams' arguments and they had a difficult job in selecting the winning team. Of the two finalists, Hasmonean High School for Girls and Parmiter's School, the top prize was awarded to Hasmonean High School for Girls. Huge congratulations to all who took part!

If you are interested in participating in the video competition next year please keep an eye on these pages or contact ArgueFest. The Practical Ethics and Responsibility Schools' Day event is not open to members of the public.

Hasmonean High School for Girls

Oxford International College

Parmiter's School

Valentines High School

23rd March 2021. Zoom details tbc

Start

End

Activity

9:30

10:00

Zoom meeting starts. Participants are welcome to join at any time in this period and chat with other teams.

10:00

10:30

Welcome address: Professor Tom Douglas

10:30

10:45

Break

10:45

11:15

Exhibition debate: ‘Responsibility and addiction’ with Dr Doug McConnell and Dr Hazem Zohny.

11:15

11:45

Activity: ‘Slippery slope arguments’ with Tess Johnson.

11:45

12:00

Break

12:00

12:45

Semi-finals. These will take place simultaneously in breakout rooms on Zoom.

12:45

13:30

Break for lunch. Judges decide semi-final winners. Decision will be announced by 13:15.

13:30

14:15

Debate final.

14:15

14:45

Talk: What is it like to study philosophy at university? with Alex O’Connor, undergraduate student at St John’s College.

14:45

15:00

Winner announced. Event ends.

Bancroft's School (1)

Bancroft's School (2)

Bedford School

Brampton Manor Academy

London Academy of Excellence Stratford (1)

London Academy of Excellence Stratford (2)

Sacred Heart High School

Stockport Grammar