The 18th annual James P. Hayes Moral Forum Tournament began Nov. 12 and culminated on Dec. 5 with the championship round. The tournament judges named Honors students Jade Abrams, a junior political science and philosophy major from Navarre, Fla., and Julia Brown, a sophomore public health and history major from Cumming, Ga., champions of the debate and awarded each student with a scholarship.
The Debate Resolution stated, “In order to be a more moral society, public colleges and universities in the U.S. ought not restrict any constitutionally protected speech.” Abrams and Brown argued the pro position in the final debate on December 5.
“The Moral Forum course helps students explore one significant, controversial issue through the lens of multiple ethical theories. This year’s issue of Constitutionally protected speech on campus proved timely, nuanced and significant to students. In exploring the singular issue from competing perspectives, students learn to reckon with viewpoints with which they do not necessarily agree while developing and strengthening their own moral philosophy,” Megan Bailey, assistant professor and Director of Experiential Education, stated.
Five other categories of scholarships were given to the Moral Forum participants. Nathalie Eckermann and Reilly Mohn earned the Tarif Haque Outstanding Written Case award. Harrison DeLong was awarded the Best Individual Debater award. Onca Urban and Luke Mintz received the James P. Hayes, Jr., Spirit of Moral Forum scholarship. The debate’s semifinalists, Jake Faulk, Bailey O’Neal, Brantley Johnson and Michael Lindberg, each earned a scholarship. Lastly, finalists Calynn Condray and Brianne Therrien were both awarded scholarships.
“Competition in the Moral Forum tournament is always fierce. Honors students consistently go above and beyond in preparation for the tournament, pushing themselves far more than they might for other assessments because of the collaborative and impromptu nature of the assignment. Students competing in the championship round progressed through six debate rounds, which meant their arguments were well refined and thoughtful. This year’s competitors showed significant prowess in civil discourse balanced with passionate oral argumentation, a hard line to walk that they did with grace. I am incredibly proud to have learned with and from each of the students in the course and to watch the scholarship awardees grow as critical thinkers, ethical citizens and collaborative leaders this semester,” Bailey said.
Striving to foster both open-mindedness and conviction, Moral Forum seeks to help Honors College students distinguish between reasoned judgments about the moral legitimacy of views on the one hand and being intolerant or disrespectful toward individuals or cultural groups on the other. Students research and engage in seminar discussions concerning a single moral problem in order to gain proficiency in the complexity of ethical dilemmas and the values by which morality might be ascertained. Students then engage in a competitive team debate tournament in order to grapple with moral theories while practicing ethical and empathetic citizenship.