Ethics – Affirmative Action

Affirmative action attempts to remedy the injustice of racial and sexual discrimination. When asked to justify their position, supporters of affirmative action commonly appeal to its effects on living individuals in society’s long history of past discrimination. Others point to current patterns of discrimination.

• Do you agree that all affirmative action policies create unjust reverse discrimination? If not, which specific forms of affirmative action in the business world do you think escape this charge? Why do you think this? Explain your position with ethical theory.