Compensatory Justice & the Moral Obligation for Preferential Treatment of Discriminated Groups

Abstract

An urgent political and moral problem that has emerged lately is preferential treatment of groups that have been denied access to society's goods due to discriminating practices. Public Policy aimed at remedying past injustices has created a further moral dilemma through reverse discrimination. But advocates of preferential treatment have rejected the charge of reverse discrimination on various grounds. Here the author examines the problem with reference to the principle of compensatory justice, applying the methodological controversy between individualists and holists to the issue. Although he acknowledges the sincerity of those who would rest the case for preferential treatment on the principle of compensatory justice, he finds the principle inadequate to make a convincing case.