St Andrews to host pioneering ethics debating tournament

Pupils from across the UK will take part in a new debating tournament at St Andrews University this summer.

Hosted by the Centre for Ethics, Philosophy and Public Affairs at the university on June 6, the John Stuart Mill Cup will challenge pupils to demonstrate their abilities to discuss issues in a thoughtful and constructive way.

It will be the first event of its kind in Britain in that the cup will not be won by proving the opposing side wrong, rather, by taking part in a collaborative discussion.

Debates will focus on a range of cases from fake news and charitable giving to the sugar tax and the #MeToo campaign.

The contest will be open to high school pupils across the country, from S4-6 (Scotland) or years 10-13 (England and Wales) and the inaugural cup will see 60 debaters compete.

The cup is named after former rector of St Andrews University John Stuart Mill, in recognition of his role in promoting open and vibrant public discourse.

A 19th-Century British philosopher, economist, public intellectual and parliamentarian, he was anti-slavery and a radical, for his time, on issues of women’s rights and democracy.

Dr Ben Sachs, philosophy lecturer at the university and cup founder, said: “The John Stuart Mill Cup is a unique opportunity for students and rewards not the ability to win an argument but rather the ability to thoughtfully advance debates on ethical issues of public concern.”

The cup is modelled on the National High School Ethics Bowl in the US and the competition will take place in the United College, St Salvator’s Quad, on Wednesday June 6 from noon.