Advancing Ethics at PSU and Beyond

The Ethics Center at Portland State University aims to advance ethics through innovative programming and curriculum that connects PSU with the greater Portland region. We seek to strengthen ethical reflection and decision-making by providing students, faculty, and our community with opportunities to critically engage with pressing ethical issues of a changing urban environment.

Our Values

  • Reflection: Make time and space for ethical reflection and decision-making
  • Community: Explore ethical issues that are meaningful to our community
  • Collaboration: Work together with partners from the university and community
  • Nonpartisan: Commit to engaging with diverse perspectives

Our Vision

Our goal is to create a vibrant nexus of public discourse and learning opportunities for positive growth and change in the Portland Metro area. This will be realized by cultivating dialogue, ethical strategic engagement, and engaging in collaborative problem-solving in institutional, industrial, and public services through education, programming, and outreach.

Center activities include:

  • Support for Oregon High School and Middle School Ethics Bowls, in partnership with the Philosophy Department
  • Public forums, including lectures and panels, to promote civic engagement
  • Curriculum development around an ethics course for business and community partners
Alex Sager

"Whether it be climate change, housing, racial justice or political polarization, we aren’t going to meet the challenges our community confronts today without careful attention to ethics."
Alex Sager
Professor of Philosophy
Founder, Ethics Center

Monica Mueller

"A center that connects PSU with regional stakeholders to cultivate ethical engagement in applied contexts will positively impact our students, our city and our communities."
Monica Mueller
Senior Instructor of Philosophy
Faculty Affiliate, Ethics Center

Teams of students competing in Oregon Ethics Bowl

Oregon Ethics Bowl

The Ethics Bowl promotes ethical awareness and the skills needed for a thoughtful, democratic citizenry. Teams take turns analyzing cases about complex ethical dilemmas and responding to questions and comments from the other team and from a panel of judges. Consider being a judge or making a gift.