Discrimination
What is Discrimination?
- Unfair and prejudicial treatment of a person or group based on certain characteristics or perceived group membership.
- Can be both individual acts and systemic practices that create disadvantage.
Grounds for Discrimination
- Common grounds include:
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Religion
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
- Age
- Socioeconomic status
- […and more]
Forms of Discrimination
- Direct Discrimination: Overt and intentional prejudicial treatment.
- Indirect Discrimination: Seemingly neutral policies or practices that disproportionately disadvantage a protected group.
- Harassment: Creating a hostile or offensive environment based on discriminatory grounds.
Consequences of Discrimination
- Limits opportunities and access to resources (employment, housing, education, etc.)
- Perpetuates inequality and social divisions
- Harms psychological well-being and sense of belonging of those targeted
Philosophical connections
- Justice: Discrimination is fundamentally unjust, violating principles of fairness and equal treatment.
- Human Rights: Discrimination often infringes upon basic human rights recognized within international frameworks.
- Ethics: Discrimination raises questions about the moral treatment of others and societal responsibility to uphold equality.
Your Notes and Reflections
- Have you observed instances of discrimination in your own life, community, or through news/media?
- How might different philosophical theories approach the problem of discrimination?
Further Reading
- [Add Relevant Books/Articles Here]
Related Pages