Phil 38 – Final Exam Study Guide
The final exam will consist in two blue book essays, on two
of the four topics below (one on topics 1 and 2, one on topics 3 and 4). It
will take place on Monday, June 2 at
1. What is the nature of racial and gender discrimination? Describe and critically evaluate the two competing views about the nature of discrimination that we discussed in class. (See Velasquez for a summary.) Briefly discuss their implications for reverse discrimination. Is one view preferable to the other? Why or why not?
2. Discuss in detail the two types of invisibility. Do you think they aptly characterize the nature of racial and sexual difference? Why or why not?
3. Affirmative action is based on the claim that in some cases justice demands that we treat persons as members of groups rather than as equal, abstract individuals. Summarize this claim and examine how it conflicts with traditional liberalism and the ideal of colorblindness. Do you think this claim is justified? Why or why not?
4. State what you believe is the strongest argument in
support of affirmative action and the strongest argument against affirmative
action. Then state and defend your own view about the justification of
affirmative action.