Another popular argument for affirmative action is the compensation argument. Blacks were mistreated in the past for a morally irrelevant characteristic of being black so society today should compensate for the injuries. This causes reverse discrimination in the form of preferential hirings, contracts, and scholarships as a means to ameliorate past wrongs. Many opponents argue that this form of reparation is morally indefensible because if blacks were harmed for being black in the past, then preferential treatment for this same trait is illogical. In addition, arguments are made that whites today who innocently benefited from past injustices should not be punished for something they had no control over. Therefore, they are being reverse discriminated against because they are receiving the punishment that should be given to people who willingly and knowingly benefited from discriminatory practices COUNT 5
QSN1 What is a typical argument in favor of affirmative action? ANS1 compensation argument QSN2 In the compensation argument, who should supposedly have to make up for past discrimination against blacks? ANS2 society today should compensate for the injuries QSN3 Which argument is being made by those who oppose affirmative action in relation to the compensation argument? ANS3 preferential treatment for this same trait is illogical QSN4 In terms of whites, what is an argument that is used to try and refute the benefits of affirmative action as it relates to the compensation argument? ANS4 whites today who innocently benefited from past injustices should not be punished for something they had no control over QSN5 According to opposition believers, who should be punished for discrimination? ANS5 people who willingly and knowingly benefited from discriminatory practices