Moral philosophy is the branch of philosophy concerned with ethics, which deals with how people should act morally, what constitutes right conduct, and the nature of morality itself. Exclusion can be defined as the denial of access or opportunity for a group or individual based on some form of discrimination. Societies that claim to be inclusive are those that seek to include all members within their borders without prejudice or exclusion.
Despite these claims, exclusion persists in many societies. This essay will explore how moral philosophy explains this phenomenon.
The first explanation of the persistence of exclusion in societies that claim to be inclusive is through the concept of duty. According to Immanuel Kant, an influential German philosopher, each person has a moral obligation to treat others as an end rather than simply as a means to an end. In other words, individuals should treat others with respect and dignity because they have intrinsic worth and deserve equal consideration regardless of their role in society. This principle of respect for persons underlies the idea of inclusion and suggests that every member of society deserves equal treatment and opportunities.
It does not always work in practice.
Employers may hire only candidates who share similar backgrounds or beliefs, thereby excluding others from certain jobs or industries. While such actions may serve short-term goals, they violate Kant's principle of treating others with respect and equality. As a result, exclusion persists in these societies even when they claim to be inclusive.
A second explanation for the persistence of exclusion in inclusive societies lies in the theory of utilitarianism. Utilitarians argue that morality consists of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain, and that people should act according to what produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Utilitarianism can lead to exclusion if it prioritizes the majority over minority groups.
A government may decide to allocate resources based on population size, effectively leaving out smaller communities or disadvantaged populations. Similarly, employers may favor applicants who bring greater revenue or profits, thereby excluding those who do not fit this criterion. Although utilitarianism seeks to promote social welfare, its focus on the majority can also cause exclusion.
Another moral philosophy that explains the persistence of exclusion is virtue ethics, which emphasizes developing virtues such as courage, justice, temperance, and prudence. According to this view, individuals must cultivate these virtues to live an exemplary life, and society should strive towards them collectively.
This approach often fails to address structural issues that contribute to exclusion.
A person may lack courage because they were born into a marginalized group where risk-taking is discouraged. Virtue ethics does not always acknowledge external factors like oppression, discrimination, or poverty that affect one's ability to develop virtuous traits. As a result, even if someone possesses all four virtues, they may still face barriers to inclusion in societies that claim to be inclusive.
Deontology offers another explanation for the persistence of exclusion in inclusive societies. Deontologists believe that actions are right or wrong based on their adherence to rules or principles, regardless of consequences. This perspective suggests that people should act according to moral obligations rather than personal interests.
Deontology can lead to exclusions when it creates strict rules that exclude certain groups from opportunities.
A law prohibiting same-sex marriage could be seen as excluding LGBTQ+ individuals despite claims of inclusivity by society. Similarly, some businesses may refuse service to certain customers based on religious beliefs, effectively excluding those who do not share them. Although deontological principles aim to promote justice and fairness, they can also create exclusive environments.
Moral philosophy provides several explanations for the persistence of exclusion in societies that claim to be inclusive. These include duty, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and deontology. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses but fails to fully address structural issues that contribute to exclusion. To truly achieve inclusivity, societies must recognize the inherent worth and dignity of each individual while also considering broader social factors that impede their access and opportunity.
How does moral philosophy explain the persistence of exclusion in societies that claim to be inclusive?
Moral philosophy posits that exclusion is a complex phenomenon that stems from various factors, including cultural norms, societal structures, power dynamics, and individual beliefs. Inclusivity is an aspirational ideal that many societies seek to achieve but may struggle to fully realize due to these underlying influences.