Question 1

Thomas argues that all that is needed to eliminate bias from hiring decisions is a change in people's beliefs, which are currently racist and sexist.

Accepted Answer

Eliminating bias from hiring decisions requires more than just changing people's beliefs; it involves systemic changes, implementing unbiased procedures, and continuous education on diversity and inclusion. Bias is deeply embedded in societal structures and individual unconscious biases, making it a complex issue that cannot be resolved solely by altering beliefs.

Question 2

According to Thomas, even unqualified women and minority candidates should be hired as part of affirmative action policy to reverse all the structural inequalities that have been built up across time.

Accepted Answer

Justice Clarence Thomas has been a critic of affirmative action, arguing that it stigmatizes beneficiaries and undermines their achievements, rather than advocating for hiring unqualified candidates to reverse structural inequalities.

Question 3

Thomas contends that knowledge is color blind.

Accepted Answer

Thomas's statement suggests that knowledge is impartial and not influenced by race or ethnicity, implying that it should be accessible and applicable to everyone equally, regardless of their background.

Question 4

Thomas rejects the role-model argument for affirmative action because he thinks women and minority faculty members would be bad role models for white male students.

Accepted Answer

Thomas rejects the role-model argument for affirmative action not because he believes women and minority faculty members would be bad role models for white male students, but because he questions the premise that students need role models who share their racial or gender identity to succeed.

Question 5

According to Thomas, affirmative action could help correct for biases that enter into decisions about who is the best qualified candidate for a position.

Accepted Answer

Thomas argues that affirmative action can serve as a corrective measure to address and mitigate the effects of biases and discrimination that may influence the evaluation of qualifications and merit in hiring or admissions processes.

Question 6

Thomas argues that our conviction that our society is just is not simply affirmed by our personal experiences of justice but by the fact that we see justice around us.

Accepted Answer

Thomas's argument suggests that our belief in the justice of our society is reinforced not only by our own experiences but also by observing acts of justice within our society, indicating a collective perception of justice beyond individual experiences.

Question 7

According to Thomas, an important part of teaching is intellectual affirmation, which requires a deep trust between student and teacher.

Accepted Answer

Thomas Aquinas emphasized the importance of trust and intellectual affirmation in the teacher-student relationship, suggesting that effective teaching involves not just the transmission of knowledge but also the fostering of a trusting environment where students feel affirmed in their intellectual pursuits.

Question 8

Thomas thinks that only women can trust women, only minorities can trust minorities, and only whites can trust whites.

Accepted Answer

Trust is a complex human emotion and social bond that is not solely determined by gender, race, or ethnicity. People are capable of trusting others across different demographic groups based on individual experiences, shared values, and mutual understanding.

Question 9

Thomas thinks that diversity is important because it is important to represent the viewpoints of women and minorities, which are different from the viewpoints of men and whites.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Thomas thinks that diversity is important because...

Question 10

Thomas agrees with Kant that willing an end requires one to will the means to that end, and so if one cares about equality, one should be committed to bringing it about.

Accepted Answer

Thomas Aquinas, like Immanuel Kant, argues for the principle of finality, which suggests that to will an end is to will the means necessary to achieve that end. This principle aligns with Kant's assertion in the realm of moral philosophy, where willing an end (such as equality) logically commits one to willing and working towards the means to achieve that end.

Question 11

In your own words, state Thomas's main conclusion in "What Good Am I?" and summarize his main argument for that conclusion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In your own words, state Thomas's main...

Question 12

Why, according to Thomas, is the role-model argument unsatisfactory as a defense of affirmative action?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why, according to Thomas, is the role-model...

Question 13

What is the counterfactual argument from qualifications and why does Thomas reject it?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the counterfactual argument from qualifications...

Question 14

How might someone object to Thomas's claim that knowledge is color blind or his implication that viewpoints are not informed by people's social identity such as their gender or race? Does the objection you state have any implications for affirmative action?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How might someone object to Thomas's claim...

Question 15

Connect Thomas's argument for diversity with Garcia's account of racism. Is Thomas implicitly relying on the same conception of racism that Garcia defends? Are their conclusions mutually contradictory?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Connect Thomas's argument for diversity with Garcia's...

Question 16

Why, according to Kant, is a good will the only thing that is good without qualification?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why, according to Kant, is a good...

Question 17

What is an imperative, according to Kant?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is an imperative, according to Kant?
...

Question 18

What is a hypothetical imperative?

Accepted Answer

A hypothetical imperative, according to Immanuel Kant, is a command of reason that applies only if one desires the goal it prescribes. It contrasts with a categorical imperative, which is unconditional and must be followed in all circumstances.

Question 19

A hypothetical imperative is:

Accepted Answer

A hypothetical imperative, according to Immanuel Kant, commands a certain action to achieve a specific end or goal. It is conditional and applies if one wishes to attain particular ends, unlike a categorical imperative, which is unconditional and universally applicable.

Question 20

A categorical imperative is:

Accepted Answer

A categorical imperative, according to Immanuel Kant, is a principle that is universally valid and must be followed by everyone, regardless of their personal desires or goals. It is not contingent on any specific outcome or goal, unlike hypothetical imperatives, which are conditional and aimed at achieving a particular end.

Quiz 13: Aristotle's Ethics: Exploring Virtue and Justice