Applying Creativity to Research in Ethics

How should we think about the many ethical dilemmas that face us today? How should research in current ethical dilemmas be conducted to move beyond impasses in judgment towards developing a consensus for action? According to Anthony Weston, Philosophy Department Chair at Elon University, “we need a more expansive view of ethics,” one that incorporates creativity. Following Weston’s lead, I shall discuss the new Honors Interdisci- plinary Seminar on Case Studies in Ethics that I am co-teaching with Dr. Nancy Stanlick and how we shall be guiding our students to think about ethical dilemmas. Our course is designed to prepare our students to partici- pate in the UCF Ethics Bowl, which is already a creative act of engagement, but more importantly, we hope to open new possibilities in the study of ethical dilemmas that would allow for creative problem-solving in ethics. My presentation will include a discussion of the background reasons for our course, the methods for preparing students for research in ethics, as well as the methods for applying creativity to their research