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The Parr Center for Ethics has proudly served as Carolina’s focal point for inquiry into and discussion of ethical questions since 2004. The mission of the Parr Center is to nourish and foster ethical reflection and moral sensitivity on campus and beyond, guided by the conviction that ethics is everywhere. The Parr Center is committed to integrating abstract work in ethical theory with thoughtful, informed exploration of ethical issues important to the University and the communities it serves. The Parr Center is housed physically and administratively within UNC’s Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences.

 

The Parr Center sees ethical reflection as a pervasive element of human life that is relevant to all fields of endeavor and at all stages of the lifespan. In keeping with its dual mission to nourish and foster ethical reflection on campus and beyond, the Parr Center offers both i) a rich menu of programming aimed mainly at campus (University) constituencies, and ii) a range of activities designed to encourage and enhance ethical reflection by participants outside the University. In particular, the Parr Center:

 

The Parr Center and its programs have won the American Philosophical Association/Philosophy Documentation Center Award For Excellence and Innovations in Philosophy Programs three times (in 2008, 2014, and 2021).

 

Recent News

PHIL 292 Students Win APPLES Grants


Undergraduates taking Parr Center Graduate Assistant Delaney Thull's Fall 2022 course have been awarded Transportation Grants from the Carolina Center for Public Service's APPLES Service-Learning program.

Rebecca L. Walker on The Value of a Life


Announcing the fourth video in the Parr Center Ethical Dilemma Series with TED-Ed!

Ethics Bowl Featured in EducationNC Op-Ed


Check out this recent op-ed by NHSEB Director Alex Richardson and Parr Center Outreach Director Michael Vazquez.

Miss a Parr Center Event? Catch the Recap.


Video recaps of Parr Center events with Keshav Singh and Michael Schur are now available on the Parr Center's YouTube channel.

Join the Center for an Evening with Michael Schur


Join the Parr Center in the Carolina Union for An Evening with Michael Schur, creator of the hit series "The Good Place."

NHSEB Launches 2022-2023 Season


The Parr Center's award-winning National High School Ethics Bowl program has launched its 2022-2023 season, and will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.

Diversity Statement
The non-discrimination policy of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill states that we are “committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment.” This applies to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to our campus. The policy further states that the University does not “discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.” The Parr Center for Ethics endorses this policy and opposes any attempt to weaken or undermine the University’s commitment to promoting diversity and equality.