CASE Library
Explore The Issues that Matter.
We excitedly invite you to browse, search, and explore our newly redesigned library of over 300 case studies which render some of the most complex and controversial moral and political issues of our time. These cases were formerly used for official NHSEB competitions at the Regional, Divisional, and National Championship levels. They are freely available for public use under Creative Commons licenses.
The NHSEB Case Library is an excellent tool for competitive preparation, internal or intramural competition, or beyond the context of the Ethics Bowl activity completely—as a classroom resource for Grades 9-12 and beyond.
Featured Cases
NAVIGATING THE LIBRARY
NHSEB’s Case Library is now fully browsable by individual case, or by Case Set—using the filters below. Or, if you already know a bit about what you’re looking for, the entire library of over 300 Ethics Bowl cases is newly indexed, referenced, and searchable by title, topic, keyword, year, and category. Each individual case entry contains the full text of the case and discussion questions as they originally appeared for competitive use, all references assembled in hyperlinked footnotes, and additional contextual resources curated by NHSEB HQ.
CASE SET COLLECTION
REGIONAL CASE SETS
2023-2024 | 2022-2023 | 2021-2022 | 2020-2021 | 2019-2020 | 2018-2019
2017-2018 | 2016-2017 | 2015-2016 | 2014-2015 | 2013-2014 | 2012-2013
National CASE SETS
2023-2024 | 2022-2023 | 2021-2022 | 2020-2021 | 2019-2020 | 2018-2019
2017-2018 | 2016-2017 | 2015-2016 | 2014-2015 | 2013-2014 | 2012-2013
FIND AN ETHICS BOWL CASE
ATTRIBUTION AND CITATION
All National High School Ethics Bowl cases are the intellectual property of the Parr Center for Ethics, and all are freely available for public use under Creative Commons licenses once retired from use in NHSEB competitions. This library represents thousands of hours of work from our Contributing Authors, Editors, and others. Please do not reproduce NHSEB cases or sets—in part or in whole—without attribution, or modify the text of individual cases or sets. If you reproduce or make reference to NHSEB cases from this library (e.g., in classroom materials, academic papers, etc.), please attribute and/or cite those materials:
National High School Ethics Bowl (Ed.), <YEAR>. “<Case Title>.” National High School Ethics Bowl Case Library. UNC Parr Center for Ethics: Chapel Hill, NC. http://nhseb.org/case-library
Browse The Library
Moral Offsetting
Can you balance harms that you cause by donating to charities that address those harms? When is moral offsetting appropriate and inappropriate?
Online Privacy
CISPA and CISA are laws that call for government agencies and businesses to share information about cybersecurity threats with one another and provide liability protection to private companies that share cyber threat indicators with the government. When is it morally acceptable for companies to share user information? When can the government infringe online privacy rights?
Donor Babies
When, if ever, is it morally permissible to bring a child into existence so they can donate tissue to somebody else? Does this cheapen the perceived value of human life, even if they are loved as much as other babies?
Toastmaster Disaster
Was it ethical for Anne and Richard to pay a ghost writer to write their wedding toast for their sister? Does the quality and content of the purchased toast affect the morality? Should Anne and Richard tell their sister they bought the toast?
White Privilege II
Since he benefits from being a white person in hip hop, how should Macklemore get involved in anti-racist activism and the Black Lives Matter movement? Do celebrities and people who benefit from systems of oppression have a stronger obligation to advocate around certain issues?
Contraception Controversy
It the birth control mandate of the ACA a violation of religious liberty or a necessary component of full and equal healthcare? Should the religious beliefs of business owners' supersede those of employees?
Armed Police
Given that police violence disproportionately affects Black people, should police departments take away many of their guns? Do the good effects of disarming police outweigh the bad?
Listen to the Music
Is it wrong for Frankie to listen to the music of her favorite band if their lead singer regularly makes sexist comments in interviews, donates to political organizations she believes are harmful to women, and recently pleaded guilty to criminal harassment of his ex-wife? Can you separate the music from the musician?
Tobacco 21
Given the health and societal benefits, should the government change the age at which citizens can purchase tobacco to 21? Should happen to people between 18 and 21 be "grandfathered" into the law? At what age can individuals make decisions for themselves?
Suffering Cat
Sydney wants to own a Munchkin cat, a cat with dwarfism. Munchkin cats can experience a lot of pain and suffering. She tries for two years to adopt an existing Munchkin cat and eventually considers buying from a breeder. Is it morally permissible to breed, sell, or purchase Munchkin cats? Is it morally permissible to post pictures of the cat online if it motivates others to buy Munchkin cats as well?
Public and Private Charity
Supporters of entitlement programs ("public charity") believe they provide essential services that protect vulnerable populations while critics argue they violate the values of limited government and individual autonomy. What is the value of charitable donations that are coerced? Are public or private charities more effective? Do people have the right to be helped in some situations? Should each individual be fully in control of how to help others?
Family and Politics
Rachel wants to talk to her 5 and 10 year old niece and nephew about politics. She wants to make the world a better place through politics and believes their father holds harmful, extremist views. What moral rules govern the political education of children? How much control should parents have over the process? At what age does it become appropriate to discuss politics with children?
Banning Religious Garb
Supporters of various French bans of religious garb argue that the laws promote national unity, decrease security risks, and protect Muslim women from oppression. Opponents argue that these bans unfairly target Muslims and infringe upon individual rights of freedom of expression and religion. When, if ever, is banning religious garb morally justified? Does wearing certain types of religious garb oppress women?
Working While Sick
Kate, a server at a fast food restaurant, catches the flu and is unsure of what to do. Her employer does not offer paid sick leave and she cannot afford to take a day off without pay. If she goes to work, she risks infecting her coworkers and customers and damaging the reputation of the business. What determines whether a worker is morally permitted to work while sick?
A Hoodwink and a Nudge?
Using "nudge marketing," companies subconsciously influence the behavior of customers, sometimes for the sake of profit and other times for the sake of the customer's health and wellbeing. Is it moral for business or individuals to use nudge marketing to create a happier, healthier society? Are "nudges" an unavoidable aspect of life or a violation of personal autonomy?
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Virtual reality technology allows users to experience an immersive virtual world while augmented reality allows for "enhanced" experiences. Does replacing real experiences with virtual experiences involve a loss of value, even if the virtual experience creates equally real emotions? What is the value of "real" experience? Is there a morally relevant difference between virtual and augmented reality?