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Discrimination
Examines discrimination in the United States as it relates to minorities, women, and gays and lesbians, and discusses such topics as racial profiling, affirmative action, and religiously motivated discrimination.
224 pages, Library Binding
First published October 19, 2007
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February 13, 2019
The Opposing Viewpoints series is an excellent contribution to society and education. Their philosophy, as printed on the rear cover of the book, states only half of the reason for reading these books.
"Those who do not know their opponent's arguments do not completely understand their own."
Too many people go throughout their lives with the attitude of "my mind is made up; don't confuse me with the facts." They miss the meaning of Socrates' words at his trial (as reported by Plato in his Apology) that "The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates chose to die rather than to abandon his search for truth. He felt that death was far preferable to living a life where he had to silently accept the role dictated by the government or the majority, rather than seeking and understanding and following a path of truth.
In "Discrimination" the editors bring together divergent views on the issues of race (although sadly limited to the question of black and white, while omitting most references to Native Americans or Asians or Latinos, or many other racial groups), LGBTQ, sex, affirmative action, legislation and Title IX. The Title IX examination is sadly limited to sports questions, although the legislation may be read much more broadly.
When examining the essays of the various, articulate advocates of the various positions, the reader is invited to examine the foundations of such opinions. This should not lead only to a better understanding of your own position, but hopefully will lead to an improved ground for dialogue with those who hold opinions which differ from your own. It should also lead to a deeper look into the reasons you hold your current opinions.
The goal is not to convince you that you are wrong in what you believe, but should lead you into a deeper examination of the bases of your positions. You may still disagree with another's position, but may find that some of your opinions need to be reexamined and may be altered, even if not changed.
The largely non-judgmental approach of this work makes it easier to examine the opinions of others in a safe, non-confrontational atmosphere. You may well come away with your opinions unchanged, and even find you are fortified in your beliefs. Without knowing how those who disagree with you think, however, you cannot hope to explain and convince them of the rightness of your own position.
On most subjects there are not just two positions, but many variations among them. Unless you can see the different perspectives and how people have arrived at them, you cannot accurately know where you stand and why.
"Those who do not know their opponent's arguments do not completely understand their own."
Too many people go throughout their lives with the attitude of "my mind is made up; don't confuse me with the facts." They miss the meaning of Socrates' words at his trial (as reported by Plato in his Apology) that "The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates chose to die rather than to abandon his search for truth. He felt that death was far preferable to living a life where he had to silently accept the role dictated by the government or the majority, rather than seeking and understanding and following a path of truth.
In "Discrimination" the editors bring together divergent views on the issues of race (although sadly limited to the question of black and white, while omitting most references to Native Americans or Asians or Latinos, or many other racial groups), LGBTQ, sex, affirmative action, legislation and Title IX. The Title IX examination is sadly limited to sports questions, although the legislation may be read much more broadly.
When examining the essays of the various, articulate advocates of the various positions, the reader is invited to examine the foundations of such opinions. This should not lead only to a better understanding of your own position, but hopefully will lead to an improved ground for dialogue with those who hold opinions which differ from your own. It should also lead to a deeper look into the reasons you hold your current opinions.
The goal is not to convince you that you are wrong in what you believe, but should lead you into a deeper examination of the bases of your positions. You may still disagree with another's position, but may find that some of your opinions need to be reexamined and may be altered, even if not changed.
The largely non-judgmental approach of this work makes it easier to examine the opinions of others in a safe, non-confrontational atmosphere. You may well come away with your opinions unchanged, and even find you are fortified in your beliefs. Without knowing how those who disagree with you think, however, you cannot hope to explain and convince them of the rightness of your own position.
On most subjects there are not just two positions, but many variations among them. Unless you can see the different perspectives and how people have arrived at them, you cannot accurately know where you stand and why.
Displaying 1 of 1 review