In 1996 the voters of the State of California passed Proposition 209, which banned affirmative
action by race or gender in admissions to all public universities. Yet the state continues to allow
preferential admissions based on athletic or artistic ability at public colleges and universities.
And preferences of all sorts are allowed at the private universities in the state, including
preferences for the children of wealthy alumni. Since passage of 209, several other states have
adopted similar measures, including Washington, Michigan, Nebraska, Alabama, Arizona, and
Florida. These typically apply only to public colleges and universities, not private ones.
What will be an ideal response?
1. Should university admissions at all institutions, both public and private, be genuinely
race- and gender-blind, based solely on academic qualifications? Develop ethical
arguments in support of your position. Then discuss how you would measure "academic
qualifications" in a way that was not biased for or against any particular race or gender.
2. Are there any factors for admission, other than academic qualifications, which seem
justifiable and fair to you? Should there be a preference for gifted athletes, musicians,
children of alumni, or veterans? Develop ethical arguments in support of your position.
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Japan was forcibly reopened to Western trade and influence by American naval forces under Commodore Perry in the __________ century
a. sixteenth. b. seventeenth. c. eighteenth. d. nineteenth. e. twentieth
What is ethical egoism?
What are the differences between the views of Ayn Rand and Nietzsche?
Biophilia refers to
A. a method for studying indigenous religions. B. the study of biology. C. a love for all forms of life. D. a kind of hula.
For what reason would you develop a counter-example?
a. To demonstrate that a rule is not truth-preserving b. To demonstrate that a rule is truth-preserving c. To demonstrate the truth of the premises of an argument d. To demonstrate the falsity of the premises of an argument