What Is Wrong with Reverse Discrimination?

Article by Edwin C. Hettinger Business Ethics Class Assignment

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Agenda

Article Summary

Spurious Objections Legitimate Objections

Link article to other course material Real Life Example Discussion

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Article Summary

Hettinger presents objections to reverse discrimination in two parts:

1. Spurious Objections: weaker objections for why

reverse discrimination is morally troubling

2. Legitimate Objections: lawful objections for why

reverse discrimination is morally troubling

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Hettinger’s view

“ By ‘reverse discrimination’ or ‘affirmative action’ I shall mean hiring or admitting a slightly less well qualified woman or black, rather than a slightly more qualified white male, for the purpose of helping to eradicate sexual and/or racial inequality, or for the purpose of compensating women and blacks for the burdens and injustices they have suffered due to past and ongoing sexism and racism.”

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Spurious Objections (1/3)

1. Reverse Discrimination (RD) as Equivalent to Racism

and Sexism

Argument: Same as traditional racism and sexism Hettinger’s view: Not at all alike

2. Race and Sex as Morally Arbitrary and Irrelevant

Characteristics

Argument: Morally arbitrary to consider race or sex when hiring Hettinger’s view: Agrees, however in some instances it is morally acceptable to discriminate

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Spurious Objections (2/3)

3. Reverse Discrimination as Unjustified Stereotyping

Argument: RD involves stereotyping instead of judging people on their individual characteristics - unjust Hettinger’s view: Agrees, example of poor white male from Appalachia

4. Failing to Hire the Most Qualified Person Is Unjust

Argument: The most qualified person should get the job – therefore most think RD is unjust Hettinger’s view: presents arguments in terms of four variables (Efficiency, right, desert, and entitlement to the job)

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Spurious Objections (3/3)

5. Undermining Equal Opportunity for White Males

Argument: Reverse...