Question 1

Illegal discrimination occurs whenever one group is arbitrarily and adversely treated differently from another.

Accepted Answer

Illegal discrimination involves treating a group unfairly and differently from another group based on arbitrary characteristics such as race, gender, or religion. This type of discrimination is prohibited by law, as it violates individuals' rights to equal treatment and opportunities.

Question 2

In "A Defense of Diversity Affirmative Action", James Sterba argues that preferential treatment of minority groups is justified through appeal to both the goal of diversity in education and the goal of remedying the effects of societal discrimination, a constitutionally permissible appeal. Do you believe that rectifying past injustices is an appropriate goal of government legislation. Why or why not

Accepted Answer

The answer of In "A Defense of Diversity Affirmative Action",...

Question 3

Freedom of speech and expression are fundamental human rights that are protected under the U.S. constitution. Commonly, defenses of these rights are grounded in appeals to autonomy (in order to act autonomously we must have the freedom to express ourselves). Thus, restrictions on our freedom of expression correlate to restrictions on our autonomy. However, several authors in this chapter recognize that sexual harassment can have a detrimental effect on autonomy. On the surface there seems to be a tension between appeals to autonomy in defense of freedom of speech and expression and appeals to autonomy in order to justify restrictions on freedom of speech and expression which may result in sexual harassment. Do you believe that there is a conflict between these two positions. Evaluate the feasibility of balancing such a tension.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Freedom of speech and expression are fundamental...

Question 4

Leeser and O'Donohue specify that the Kantian perspective necessitates a certain level of respect for all people that disallows treatment of humans as simply a means to an end.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the Kantian perspective, which holds that humans possess intrinsic value and should always be treated as ends in themselves, rather than merely as a means to achieving some other goal or objective. In other words, individuals should never be instrumentalized or exploited for the benefit of others, but rather should always be respected and honored as unique, autonomous beings.

Question 5

According to Leeser and O'Donohue, the feminist conception of sexual harassment is incomplete as a woman in a position of power could not sexually harass a man in a lesser position because this does not harm the group of men.

Accepted Answer

The feminist conception of sexual harassment is incomplete because it does not take into account the possibility that a woman in a position of power could sexually harass a man in a lesser position. This is because the feminist conception of sexual harassment is based on the idea that sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that harms women as a group. However, if a woman in a position of power sexually harasses a man in a lesser position, this does not harm the group of men.

Question 6

In contemplating sexual harassment as an abuse of power, the moral abuse that occurs is coercion of a person with lesser power.

Accepted Answer

Sexual harassment involves a person with more power, such as an employer or supervisor, using that power to coerce someone with lesser power, such as an employee or subordinate, into sexual activities or behaviors they do not want to engage in. This is an abuse of power and can have serious emotional, psychological, and career consequences for the victim.

Question 7

None of the justifications by Leeser and O'Donohue are adequate to include discrimination of a person on religious grounds.

Accepted Answer

The answer of None of the justifications by Leeser and...

Question 8

According to Beauchamp, many corporations have replaced "Affirmative action" with what phrase/word

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Beauchamp, many corporations have replaced...

Question 9

In your own words, define affirmative according to Beauchamp in "Affirmative Action and Diversity Goals in Hiring and Promotion".

Accepted Answer

The answer of In your own words, define affirmative according...

Question 10

Which ethical theory seems to most centrally play a role in May's objections to sexual harassment. Does an examination of this ethical theory shed any light on the moral wrongdoing committed by sexual harassment

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which ethical theory seems to most centrally...

Question 11

This chapter has several articles which argue either for or against affirmative action. Choose at least one article on each side of the debate. First, provide the best possible defense you can for one side of the debate. Second, provide the best possible defense you can for the other side of the debate. Finally, state your own position. Which side do you believe has the strongest arguments. Feel free to expand beyond the arguments made in the articles you have chosen.

Accepted Answer

The answer of This chapter has several articles which argue...

Question 12

According to Sher in "Diversity", what is one of the problems surrounding justification for affirmative action based upon rectification for past harms

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Sher in "Diversity", what is...

Question 13

Using the articles in the chapter discussing sexual harassment what do you believe to be the primary moral wrong committed by sexual harassment. Do you believe that there is a single moral wrong that undergirds sexual harassment or are there several. Be sure to defend your interpretation of the moral foundations of objections against sexual harassment against other interpretations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using the articles in the chapter discussing...

Question 14

Give an example of a hostile or abusive work environment as described by Larry May in "Sexual Harassment and Solidarity".

Accepted Answer

The answer of Give an example of a hostile or...

Question 15

Beauchamp himself implicitly recognizes the moral wrongs in preferential policies surrounding affirmative action. As a result, the argument being made is that practices of preferential treatment are often the lesser of two evils in the pursuit of the goals of affirmative action. How does Beauchamp imply that the goals of affirmative action are sufficient to justify the potential harms caused by employing preferential practices.What are the moral foundations that are used to defend and justify preferential treatment for disadvantaged groups as a part of affirmative action policies

Accepted Answer

The answer of Beauchamp himself implicitly recognizes the moral wrongs...

Quiz 4: Diversity, Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace