Implicit Bias Essay

In this paper I will be discussing implicit bias and the real-life consequences such attitudes may have. I will begin clarifying the notion of implicit bias, before presenting two cases that have recently attracted the attention of the press and provide fairly good examples of the extent to which the presence of such biases in our society can affect and interfere with people’s lives. When presenting these cases I will also introduce issues of philosophical concern such as the influence that the language one speaks seems to have on the strength of mental schemas, and the blameworthiness of individuals who harbour implicit biases.

What is an implicit bias?

Generally speaking, a bias is an inclination to assess members of a certain social group in a prejudicial fashion. Self-proclaimed racists, misogynists, homophobes and all those individuals who may not identify as such, but still endorse ideological positions typical of the above mentioned, can be described as consciously biased. Oppositely, people who are genuinely committed egalitarians and yet,

And if upon examination it turned out that their dislike for vocal fry was indeed a sign of implicit sexism and unless we decide to hold people responsible for actions and decisions that they took because of some biased cognitive process completely unaccessible to them and outside any conscious and rational control until the implicit bias was unveiled[ Jules Holroyd in “Responsibility for Implicit Bias” argues that individuals could be blamed even if the factors leading to action are beyond control.], then all we can do is advise them to try to somehow fight their biases now that they have become aware of