Opposing Larry's Argument On Race

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1. Larry and Paul are not arguing the same thing. Larry is arguing that race does not exist because there is not a biological “race gene.” Paul is arguing that race is socially constructed causing race to exist. Paul would agree with Larry that race does not have roots in biology. Paul would answer Larry’s argument by looking at socially constructed things. Money is a social construct. If I walked into a store and declared my one-dollar bill was now worth one hundred dollars, chances are the people in the store would laugh. Money, therefore, is ontologically subjective and epistemically objective. Ontologically subjective means the object is dependent on human agreement for its existence/worth. Society has decided what the value of our currency is, but if the world ended, our currency would just be worthless paper, because it is ontologically subjective. Epistemically objective means once the object has an ontologically subjective meaning attached to it, there are …show more content…

Ada’s two conceptual mistakes are that you know if you’re racist and that committing a racist act makes you racist. A racist act is either an act prompted by a racist motive or an act that makes use of racist symbols, imagines, statements and/or jokes. Ada did commit a racist act by telling a racist joke. A person can be racist and not be aware of it this person is an aversive racist. An aversive racist can sympathize with victims of racial injustice and support racial equality. In fact, if you asked an aversive racist if they were racist, the person would say no. This person would however unconsciously exhibit negative behavior towards certain racial groups. In clear cut cases and cases with time to think an aversive racist will make a fair choice despite a person’s race. However, an aversive racist will, when there is little to no time to think, make bias choices based on a person’s race. An aversive racist will also show bias for and against certain races when it is unobvious what is

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