Question 1

Which of the following points supports the use of race preferences in hiring?

Accepted Answer

Providing role models from diverse racial backgrounds can inspire young people from similar backgrounds to achieve significant success, supporting the use of race preferences in hiring.

Question 2

Widespread advertisement to groups not previously represented in certain privileged positions is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Weak affirmative action refers to efforts to increase diversity and representation through outreach and advertisement without implementing quotas or preferential treatment.

Question 3

Failing to hire a qualified person just because she is a woman is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Failing to hire someone based on their gender is an example of sexism, which is discrimination based on sex. Racism refers to discrimination based on race, reverse discrimination refers to discrimination against a majority population in favor of a minority population, and affirmative action refers to efforts to increase representation of minorities and women in employment and education.

Question 4

The point of a quota is to ensure that:

Accepted Answer

A quota is set to ensure that an organization has a predetermined percentage of minority members or women. It is a way to increase diversity and promote equal opportunities for underrepresented groups. The focus is on achieving a specific representation of gender, race, or ethnicity in the organization or workforce. It is not based on the competence or qualifications of the applicants, and it is not meant to provide reparations for past discrimination.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a reason for a utilitarian to support preferential programs:

Accepted Answer

Utilitarians focus on the greatest good for the greatest number, and making amends for historical injustices is more aligned with a deontological or justice-based perspective rather than a utilitarian one.

Question 6

According to Carl Cohen,"No matter who the beneficiaries may be or who the victims,preference on the basis of race is morally wrong.It was wrong in the distant past and in the recent past;it is wrong now;and it will always be wrong." Cohen's position ________ strong affirmative action policies on ________ grounds.

Accepted Answer

Carl Cohen's position rejects strong affirmative action policies on nonconsequentialist grounds. He believes that preference based on race is always morally wrong, regardless of the consequences or the beneficiaries. This is a nonconsequentialist position, meaning that the moral status of an action depends on its intrinsic qualities rather than its outcome. Therefore, Cohen would reject any argument in defense of affirmative action based on its positive consequences for minority groups or society as a whole.

Question 7

Suppose there are two equally qualified candidates for a single position.The only difference between them is that one is a woman and the other a man.The best decision according to weak affirmative action is to:

Accepted Answer

Weak affirmative action supports using gender as a tie-breaker when candidates are equally qualified, to promote diversity and address historical imbalances.

Question 8

Some argue that preferential programs create role models for minorities and women.These role models are essential for demonstrating to young people that significant achievement is possible.Opponents reply that:

Accepted Answer

The opponents argue that the best role models are individuals who are the most competent, regardless of their race or gender. This suggests that preferential programs may not necessarily create the most competent role models and therefore, may not be the best way to promote achievement possibilities for minorities and women.

Question 9

The majority opinion in the Bakke case states,"The atmosphere of 'speculation,experiment and creation'-so essential to the quality of higher education-is widely believed to be promoted by a diverse student body." This view supports which of the following policies:

Accepted Answer

The quote from the Bakke case suggests that diversity in a student body is beneficial to the quality of higher education. Therefore, scholarships reserved for ethnic minorities would support this policy and promote a more diverse student body. Scholarships for low-income students, scholarships reserved for women, and scholarships reserved for athletes may be beneficial for other reasons, but they do not directly address the need for diversity in the student body.

Question 10

A key argument for strong affirmative action is based on:

Accepted Answer

A key argument for strong affirmative action is based on a history of injustices against minorities, aiming to correct systemic inequalities and provide equal opportunities.

Question 11

Weak affirmative action policies include:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Weak affirmative action policies include:
...

Question 12

Louis Pojman argues,"There is no more moral requirement to guarantee that 12% of professors are Black than to guarantee that 85% of the players in the National Basketball Association are White." He is here expressing the view that supports:

Accepted Answer

Louis Pojman's argument suggests that there is no moral obligation to ensure a proportional representation of races in professions or sports. This aligns with the philosophy of weak affirmative action, which advocates for promoting diversity and equal opportunity through measures that do not involve strict quotas or preferential treatment based on race. Therefore, the best choice is A, weak affirmative action.

Question 13

Refusing to give a good worker a raise in pay just because he is black or Hispanic is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Refusing to give a good worker a raise in pay based on their race or ethnicity is an example of discrimination, which is the act of treating someone unfairly based on their race, gender, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics. It is important to make hiring and compensation decisions based on merit and qualifications, rather than discriminatory factors.

Question 14

Which of the following does NOT violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Accepted Answer

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not explicitly cover discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Question 15

In 1978,the Supreme Court ruled that:

Accepted Answer

In the case of Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, the Supreme Court ruled that the use of strict racial quotas in college admissions is unconstitutional. However, the court also stated that race could be used as one of many factors in admissions decisions to promote diversity. Therefore, option C and D are incorrect. Option A is also incorrect as the use of quota systems, as mentioned, was deemed unconstitutional.

Question 16

Almost everyone agrees that:

Accepted Answer

Efforts should be made to end discrimination against minorities and women. This is a widely accepted principle across different communities and countries. Discrimination based on race, gender, or ethnicity is unacceptable and creates an uneven playing field. There should be equal opportunities for all individuals regardless of their background. However, there is debate around the specific measures that should be taken to address discrimination, such as whether affirmative action policies are necessary or effective.

Question 17

According to Carl Cohen,"Preference creates that burden;it makes a stigma of the race of those who are preferred by race.An ethnic group given special favor by the community is marked as needing special favor-and the mark is borne prominently by every one of its members." In this passage,Cohen is rejecting which argument used to support strong affirmative action?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Carl Cohen,"Preference creates that burden;it...

Question 18

Suppose someone argues that strong affirmative action is too costly to implement in a democratic society.A plausible nonconsequentialist reply is that:

Accepted Answer

A nonconsequentialist would argue that the justice of affirmative action is more important than the cost involved in implementing it. Therefore, the argument that affirmative action is too costly is not a sufficient reason to abolish it.

Question 19

The use of quota systems in college admissions is:

Accepted Answer

Quota systems have been a subject of controversy, with some arguing that they may violate the principles of equal opportunity and merit-based admissions. Proponents, on the other hand, argue that quotas may be necessary to ensure diversity and address historical inequalities.

Question 20

________ is essentially an expression of the fundamental moral principle that equals should be treated equally.

Accepted Answer

Affirmative action is based on the principle of treating equals equally by providing opportunities to historically marginalized groups to ensure equal access and representation.

Quiz 18: Equality and Affirmative Action