Question.665 - DISCUSSION QUESTION CHOICE #1: Argue for "Strong" Affirmative Action. Using either Utilitarianism or Rights Theory, and your own ethical judgments and experiences, make an ethical argument for the moral permissibility and obligation of "Strong" Affirmative Action. Use the arguments in this week’s readings; address counter arguments against your position; suggest a compromise position. DISCUSSION QUESTION CHOICE #2: Argue against "Strong" Affirmative Action. Using either Utilitarianism or Rights Theory and your own ethical judgments and experiences, make an ethical argument against the moral permissibility and obligation of "Strong" Affirmative Action. Use the arguments in this week’s readings; address counter arguments against your position; suggest a compromise position. DISCUSSION QUESTION CHOICE #3: Compromise? Perhaps you aren't convinced either way for or against. Where might a compromise be found? Use what you have learned in the first four weeks of the course, on liberty, rights, freedom, distributive justice, and your own ethical judgments and experiences to answer this ethical question. Use the arguments for and against the moral permissibility and obligation of "Strong" Affirmative Action in the readings. Address counter arguments to your argument. Suggest a compromise position between two opposing views.
Answer Below:
Choice 1 Strong affirmative action is one of the privileges in the United States where opportunities in education and employment are provided for minorities. Here, race is not solely the group for addressing racial discrimination but there are other categories that are dependent on affirmative action like sexual orientation, disability, age, and ethnicity. I am for affirmative action because this action will actually bring social equality and provide equal opportunities to all irrespective of the differences. People who are against affirmative action might consider this to be a privilege for the minorities where the opportunities are made on the basis of merit but on color, gender, and other differences. But I feel due to this difference only; many deserving individuals are deprived of the opportunities. “Strong affirmative action goes beyond weak affirmative action by giving at least some sort of preference to the minority candidates when the applications are actually being evaluated” (Myers). For instance, colored people are always given less preference than the white ones; straight people are given more respect than homosexuals. These are the differences and discrimination due to which I feel affirmative action should be there and it should continue to promote equality and inclusivity in society. Rights theory is the apt theory to support affirmative action because rights theory states that every human being has all the rights since they are born and there should not be any reason to provide rights and liberties. Therefore, with rights theory, it is valid that affirmative action should be applied in society so that there is a balance in society because the majority group is always given more privileges and liberties. While from the utilitarian approach, “strong” affirmative action will be opposed because the majority group will not be happy with seeing the preference given to the minorities. This will affect the happiness of the entire society. Reference Myers, David G. Psychology, in modules. Macmillan, 2004.More Articles From Philosophy