Exam 12: Equality and Discrimination

The U.S. Supreme Court concluded in the Bakke decision that consideration of race in school admissions was unconstitutional.

Label the following examples of arguments regarding Preferential Treatment as appealing to considerations of Justice (J), or to Consequentialist considerations (C) If young girls and blacks, for example, have more role models in certain professions, they will be more likely to seek those positions, and if this is possible only through affirmative action programs, then we ought to support such programs.

Label the following examples of arguments regarding Preferential Treatment as appealing to considerations of Justice (J), or to Consequentialist considerations (C) The fact that some people because of past discrimination are now in a socially disadvantaged position is a relevant reason to treat them differently but now in ways that advantage them.

In the DeFunis ruling on affirmative action at the University of Washington School of Law in the early 1970's, it was argued that the state had a compelling state interest, which justified this program.

Explain the element of the principle of equality that asserts that one must show that there are such differences rather than just surmise that they exist.

Some types of affirmative action do not require preference to be given to members of minority groups or women

How many races have anthropologists classified?

National news magazines and television shows show blacks in stories about poverty about _______% of the time?

Label the following examples of arguments regarding Preferential Treatment as appealing to considerations of Justice (J), or to Consequentialist considerations (C) We ought to realize that if we continue with programs of preferential treatment there will likely be a white male backlash and this will make it even more difficult to achieve racial or sexual equality.

The principle of equality is a nonconsequentialist moral principle.

Label the following examples of arguments regarding Preferential Treatment as appealing to considerations of Justice (J), or to Consequentialist considerations (C) We ought to make it up to those who have been victims of discrimination by giving them special consideration in hiring and admissions.

According to MacKinnon, hate crimes in New York City are

Label the following examples of arguments regarding Preferential Treatment as appealing to considerations of Justice (J), or to Consequentialist considerations (C) It is not fair to prefer a woman or minority group member over a more well qualified applicant for this is to use an irrelevant difference as a basis for differential treatment.

Arguments for affirmative action based on reasons of compensatory justice must show that compensation to members of certain groups is justified.

Label the following examples of arguments regarding Preferential Treatment as appealing to considerations of Justice (J), or to Consequentialist considerations (C) If these programs could be designed so that they would achieve the goal of equality, then they ought to be supported.

Label the following examples of arguments regarding Preferential Treatment as appealing to considerations of Justice (J), or to Consequentialist considerations (C) Just as race or sex were wrongly used in the past to treat people differently, so also it is just as inherently wrong in present form in preferential treatment programs.

Explain the element of the principle of equality that asserts that differences must be real. How does this fit with arguments for affirmative action that want to use created differences to justify differential treatment?

According to this principle, in order to treat people differently in ways that deny them significant social benefits one need only show that there are real differences between them.

"It is unjust to treat people differently in ways that deny to some of them significant social benefits unless we can show that there is a difference between them that is relevant to the differential treatment." This quote supports the principle of

When giving a consequentialist argument for affirmative action one need show only that these programs can have good consequences.