Public Philosophy

Beyond academic research and university teaching, I am committed to engaging broader segments of the public in philosophical activities. To this end, I am involved in teaching ethics to high school students and folks who are incarcerated through the High School Ethics Bowl and Philosophy in Jail programs offered by the Center of Public Philosophy at UC Santa Cruz.

 

 

David Donley moderates a round of the 2016 Northern California Ethics Bowl.

The High School Ethics Bowl promotes respectful, supportive, and rigorous discussion of a wide range of contemporary ethical questions among high school students and members of the community. Since 2014, I have volunteered as a moderator and judge for the Northern California regional competition. Additionally, I have twice coached the team of a local Santa Cruz high school.

 

 

David Donley (top, middle) with students at Santa Cruz County Jail, graduation day, October 2016.

Philosophy in Jail provides inmates at local correctional facilities opportunities to strengthen skills of reason, deliberation, and communication through supervised discussion of contemporary ethical questions. Since 2016, I have offered courses in ethical theory and applied ethics at the Santa Cruz County Jail.