PHI 130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Reverse Discrimination, Consequentialism, Affirmative Action
9 Apr 2017
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Document Summary
Defenders of strong affirmative action have offered several justifications for it, one being that because in generations past minorities were treated cruelly and unjustly, they now deserve compensation for those terrible wrongs. Giving minorities preferential treatment in employment and education is the best way to make amends. Another argument is that strong affirmative action is necessary to foster diversity in a population. Strong affirmative action is strongly opposed by many who see it as reverse discrimination. Unequal, preferential treatment against some people (mostly white males) to advance the interests of others (minorities and women) In the debates over strong affirmative action, those who oppose it as well as those who endorse it appeal to conventional moral theories- both consequentialist and nonconsequentialist. Many who support strong affirmative action make the utilitarian argument that these policies can have enormous benefits for minorities and women as well as for society as a whole.
