Topics Ethics

Question Is it wrong to discriminate against people that are racist, homophobic or sexist, etc.?

Accepted:
November 23, 2008

Comments

Well, it would, I think, depend upon the context. Discriminating among people isn't itself an objectionable thing. One discriminates among different job applicants and among whom to marry or pursue a friendship. In cases like friendship, where moral discriminations are proper, there is generally nothing wrong with discriminating "against" those who are immoral. But the phrase, "discriminating against," usually has a sort of public policy connotation. In those sorts of cases, discriminating against the racist, homophobic, and sexist may be objectionable. For example, I think it would be wrong to deny the vote to racists (even though I often wish they wouldn't vote) or to tax them differently. The question of employment discrimination, on the other hand, is a thorny one, but I'd say that a reasonable general principle to use is this: people holding immoral beliefs should not be discriminated against in employment so long as their objectionable beliefs are not manifest in conduct that interferes with the performance of their duties or, in some reasonable way, the duties of others. So, for example, it would be impermissible to dismiss an airline pilot for holding sexist beliefs, even if the crew knows it, but not improper to dismiss a pilot for engaging in persistent acts of sexual harassment. So long as a postal carrier delivers the mail with the same efficiency to the homes of black and white people and refrains from insulting behavior, she should not be discriminated against by her employer. Having said that, I'm not about to invite racist, homophobic sexists to my parties.

Question Is it wrong to discriminate against people that are racist, homophobic or sexist, etc.? Accepted:November 23, 2008

Question Is it wrong to discriminate against people that are racist, homophobic or sexist, etc.?

Accepted:
November 23, 2008