Utility and Rights
(John Speaking)

 
 

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I'm not sure. Bernard Boxill believes that the arguments based on compensation and utility reinforce each other. But he doesn't tell us much about his theory of rights or the relationship of rights to social utility. Actually, he phrases his argument for compensation in terms of harm rather than rights.

I don't know if your distinction between invidious and benign discrimination will help. Remember that there are people who are harmed by strong affirmative action whether it is intended to be benign or not. And secondly, you have to consider this: What if someone comes along and develops a so-called "benign" program that discriminates AGAINST blacks? How will you feel about that?

Reference: See Boxill's Blacks and Social Justice, chapter 7 for his view on how the arguments for compensation and utility "complement and support each other."

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