Affirmative Action: Social Justice or Unfair Preference? (Point/Counterpoint: Philosophers Debate Contemporary Issues) [Paperback]

Albert G. Mosley (Author), Nicholas Capaldi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0847683028 | ISBN-13: 978-0847683024

In this book, two distinguished philosophers debate one of the most controversial public policy issues of the late 20th century. Each begins by making a case for or against affirmative action, laying out the major arguments on both sides. Each author then responds to the other's essay. Written in an engaging, accessible style, Affirmative Action is an excellent text for junior level philosophy, political theory, public policy, and African-American studies courses as well as a guide for professionals navigating this important debate.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book raises the level of the contemporary debate on affirmative action. Professor Mosley meets the critics head on . . . bold, ingenious and successful. (Boxill, Bernard )

Provides the most substantively detailed arguments for and against affirmative action in the literature . . . apparent in the masterful defense of affirmative action by the renowned Albert G. Mosley, and the insightful and robust rejection by the stalwart Nicholas Capaldi. (Harris, Leonard )

A comprehnsive analysis of specific arguments—for and against affirmative action—which increases the reader's ability to evaluate claims made by both sides in this important controversy. (Gertrude Ezorsky )

The format of this series ... should make for lively debate. (Ethics, January 1998 )

Provides a . . . good summary of relevant case law, . . . (A. A. Sisneros CHOICE )

About the Author

Albert G. Mosley is professor of philosophy at Ohio University in Athens. He is the editor of African Philosophy: Selected Readings and numerous articles on affirmative action. Nicholas Capaldi is McFarlin Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tulsa. Among his books is Out of Order: Affirmative Action and the Crisis of Doctrinaire Liberalism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (November 21, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847683028
• ISBN-13: 978-0847683024
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,967,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A DEBATE BETWEEN TWO PHILOSOPHERS, December 7, 2010

By 

Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Affirmative Action: Social Justice or Unfair Preference? (Point/Counterpoint: Philosophers Debate Contemporary Issues) (Paperback)

This 1996 volume features "pro" and "con" arguments from two philosophers: PRO-Albert G. Mosley (editor of African Philosophy: Selected Readings) and CON-Nicholas Capaldi (author of Out of Order: Affirmative Action and the Crisis of Doctrinaire Liberalism). Each first contributes an essay, then a response to the other's essay.

Here are some quotations from the book:

"Thus, it makes no sense at all to speak as if the descendants of slavery would be in a better or worse condition had there been no slavery, since the descendants of slavery would not exist had there been no slavery. Moreover, it makes no sense to speak as if Africa would have been as badly off as it now is had there been no slave trade or colonization. Given the benefit of the doubt as to the ability of Africans to develop modern cultures, Africa would probably be much better off than it currently is." (Pg. 34)
"'Innocent White males' are harmed primarily by being deprived of benefits they would normally expect to acquire. But taking existing inequalities as the baseline for determining violations of equal opportunity implies that the inflated odds against success suffered by those who have been the object of racism and sexism should be accepted as the norm." (Pg. 51)
"But it should be recognized that the civil rights revolution (in general) and affirmative action (in particular) has been beneficial, not just to Blacks, but also to Whites (e.g., women, the disabled, the elderly) who otherwise would be substantially more vulnerable than they are now." (Pg. 53)