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
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
Not In My Backyard!
Arevia Power's Battle Born Solar Project would have created 2,600 jobs for Nevada and contributed to its goal of producing more renewable sources. However, residents argue it would ruin the beauty and character of their neighborhood. Under what circumstances is it morally permissible to align with community preferences over economic and environmental improvements?
Eminent Domain
In many developed countries, governments can claim the power of eminent domain in order to seize private property for public use. Under what conditions is it appropriate to seize property from someone against their will? And how should the government best determine just compensation for such property?
Contributing to Gentrification
Dave wants to move into an up-and-coming urban neighborhood but is concerned that he will contribute to gentrification and the displacement of established residents and communities. Assuming that gentrification does directly cause displacement, should Dave feel guilty if he chooses to move into this neighborhood? Does anyone have a right to live in a particular neighborhood?
Questions of Loyalty
The Prime Minister of Singapore recently criticized citizens who would leave Singapore at the drop of a hat in times of hardship or for better opportunities. He argued that they have a debt to the nation for all the benefits they had enjoyed through citizenship. Do we have moral duties to contribute to our nation? What is morally good or morally bad about having a sense of loyalty to country?
Food Desert
Given that residents in food deserts do not have access to healthy foods, do owners of stores located in food deserts have a responsibility to sell lower-cost items? Do for-profit businesses have a responsibility to maximize their community's well being?