Is Affirmative Action Ethical - Essay Example

Introduction The term ethics is derived from the Latin word ethic which refers to moral philosophy. It is used to refer to the study of customs and values of an individual or a group. It encompasses the analysis and use of concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, and responsibility. Ethical norms are the moral standards that help us judge good from bad or right from wrong and living morally. This involves articulating the good habits or character that we should have, the consequences of our behavior on us and others and the duties that we are supposed to follow. Ethical issues touch on the basis of an individual belief and they are bound to differ with individuals depending on cultural and social factors of the individual. Affirmative action ethics Affirmative action ethics is a form applied ethics that evaluates ethical guidelines and moral issues that surround affirmative action. The affirmative action has continued to draw a lot of debate on the ethical and moral justification of affirmative action. The ethical issue has drawn to sides of opposing sides, those who view affirmative action as unethical and those who see it has ethical. Both groups present arguments in supporting their positions. However, the issue of whether affirmative action is ethical or unethical remains debatable and will shall examine the two sides. (Cohen and Sterba, 2003) Controversy Affirmative action is both moral and political issue that seems to divide American than it seems to unite them. On side there are those who support it and see it as a type of program formulated to correct racism so as to reverse the impact of previous and present discrimination. While on the other hand, there are those who just view it as another way of discrimination by giving a specific group more advantage on the basis of skin color alone. (Cohen and Sterba, 2003) The controversy that surrounds affirmative action is the controversy about justice, when we look at the policy of social justice; we find that it states that each one should be treated in same way unless where there is morally related reason to why an individual should be given a different treatment. Whatever resources or burdens that the society has, justices stipulate that they should be shared equally. Most people agree that the skin color of a person cannot be the basis of treating someone differently. Affirmative action is unjust Cohen and Sterba, (2003) points out that, when an individual is denied employment or an admission to enter college because of affirmative action program, then the affirmative program can be termed as unfair. This somehow becomes unclear since it is not clear then to want will be considered as being just. The system remains indeed with unsolved issue of what is ethical right to be done. In fact different people spotting different sides will give different arguments. For, Cohen and Sterba (2003) affirmative action is not fair since it appears to replace professional or academic qualifications will racial inclinations. Others see it as unfair since it judges the qualification on applicant on the basis of belonging to certain group instead of looking at the status of the individual. Many say that affirmative action is a new way of discrimination, and any form of discrimination that is based of any feature such as race or gender, by definition is not fair and should not be practiced. Affirmative action is turn around discrimination A significant point made by those who feel that affirmative action is not ethical is that affirmative action comprises a structure of racial discrimination. Thus, it is unethical, unjust, illegal and immoral. Newton (1989) argues that those who support affirmative program as a way of correct the past racial discrimination are indeed not consistent because they are using unjust means to make up for unjust deeds. (Newton, 1989) Encouraging prejudice Many people who is affirmative action as immoral or unethical allergy that affirmative action creates prejudices and thus furthers discrimination. In accordance to this argument, when affirmative programs are implemented, it leads to development of a stigma that is attached to the minorities who are seen to have been benefited from these programs. This leads to prejudice and may lead to discrimination since the minorities will feel tat they are being treated separately. (Newton, 1989) Judging individual vs. judging groups One major argument that is put across in explaining why affirmative program is unethical is founded on the argument that, people need to be judged on the basis of their personality or as individual and not basing them as members of specific group, particularly racial group. Those that use this argument will in general agree that previous racism do continue to impact the economic and social status of the minorities leading to poor academic performance that need to be taken into account in system that is just. (Newton, 1989) Qualification issue One opposition to affirmative program is the concept that only “qualifications” has to be used in deciding admission colleges. Assumingly, what is meant by qualification is the academic qualification, since broader interpretation of the meaning could also mean race as a factor of qualification. Thus, the issue of giving some minorities “special qualification” in order to correct some past racial mistakes is not fair and lacks moral support. The argument takes a perception that giving special admission to minorities seems alike a way of “rewarding” those who have a better academic record which in itself leaves other “unrewarded” this in self is not fair. (Newton, 1989) Inefficient Many of those who point out that affirmative action is unfair see the affirmative action program as not effective and thus the program needs to be down away with. They add that the only effective way of hiring workers in a company is through qualification and the only effective way of admitting students to colleges is through merit. This is what should be used instead of resorting to affirmative action which is ineffective. (Newton, 1989) Those who support affirmative action program argue that, affirmative action is aimed in helping those who were persecuted in the past. Newton (1989) observes that in the real sense such programs are known to harm the very people who are supposed to benefit from the program. For example, many American will not refuse to visit a black under the assumption that the doctor was admitted to college and to the current position he has through affirmative action or through “special preferences”. This is also being observed in other professional and it is hurting the minorities who are supposed to be benefiting from the same action. The unfortunate part is that even those professional who have qualified without benefiting from affirmative action also are shunned because of the stereotype that has been created by the affirmative action. (Newton, 1989) Quota system Those opposing affirmative action equate affirmative action to quota system, this is highly opposed in America and it is seen as unethical way and it is opposed by many America. In the same way affirmative action has cannot solve the problems that were creating by racial discrimination. Since many Americans object the issue of quota system it is seen that affirmative actions remains to be unethical to many. Common good ethical Still, many others argue that affirmative action is morally right and should be used. Proponents of affirmative action feel that affirmative action will create some equality in the society and balance by crating means where the minorities can also benefit. As Kang, and Banaji, (2006) points out, the common good for comprises basically in making sure that the social systems, social policies, and the environment as a whole in which we live should be used to benefit all. Those as members of one society it will be unethical one group to prosper while another groups remains behind. For the purpose of common good it is therefore important that the community resources be made in way that they can also benefit those who are minorities. Creating equality Affirmative action remains important in creating equality, as citizens of one nation it is important that equality should be there. (Ezorsky, 1991)The best equality is economic equality. Thus it follows that each individual has a morally obligation in making the society a better place to live in. many feel that the only solution is the affirmative action. Eventually if affirmative action is not taken it will lead to increase in jobless, poorly educated population and social inequality. The ethical question remains, then should affirmative action then be used to try and balance these inequalities? To many the answer is yes as it beings equality in the society. For instance according to studies it is number of blacks in managerial positions have doubled when affirmative action was introduced, at the same time the number of blacks in the police force also have highly increased basically due to affirmative action program. (Ezorsky, 1991) It follows thus that affirmative action remains an ethical way improving the status of those that who are not privileged. (Ezorsky, 1991) Affirmative action is a good Schulman, (2007) states that, it is inaccurate and misleading to claim that affirmative action is unethical and that it only cares for the people on the basis of race or that affirmative action embraces selection of persons who are not well qualified. Affirmative action does not encourage this and it is just the wrong interpretation. Yet, race is simply one aspect that affirmative action is taking care of. Schulman, (2007) adds that, affirmative action remains ethical and fair because the program plays an important role in assisting to dismantle the unjust system of racial disadvantage that unfortunately is still present in the United States even today. (Schulman, 2007) Conclusion The issue whether affirmative action is ethical or not remains controversial and will continue to draw different arguments depending on which side one. Affirmative action many, is just another way of discrimination that should not be allowed to happen in America as one can not correct a wrong with another wrong. However, those who support affirmative action view the program as the only way of correcting and uplifting those who were left behind economical and social. Thus, it remains to be said that the issue of ethical justification of affirmative action will continue to be debatable and it will be ethical or unethical depending on which view point one is taking. Reference: Cohen, C and Sterba, J. (2003).Affirmative Action and Racial Preference: A Debate;: Oxford University Press, Oxford Ezorsky, G. (1991): Racism and Justice: the Case for Affirmative Action. (.: Cornell University Press, Ithaca, N.Y Kang, J and Banaji, M (2006): Fair Measures: A Behavioral Realist Revision of Affirmative Action; California Law Review, Newton, L. (1989): Reverse Discrimination as Unjustified, Ethics; Belmont, Cal.: Wadsworth, Schulman, M (2007): Affirmative Action or Negative Action; Retrieved from; www.scu.edu/ethics Accessed on 1/112007 Read More