Racism In Albert Atkin's The Philosophy Of Race

Which of your values has been challenged by something you encountered in this class? How do you plan to respond to that challenge? If none of your values have been challenged in class, why not?

Albert Atkin’s views on race and what constitutes as racism in his book, The Philosophy of Race, challenged my previous conceptions on what race is and how the effects of race such as racism should be dealt with. Prior to this class, I would have identified as an eliminativist. However, after reading Atkin’s book, I now consider myself a reconstructionist, although I do believe that eliminativism could be a plausible solution in the future. Previously, I was naive enough to believe that racial inequalities could be solved through the ignorance of race.

If not, why not? If so, why?

Although many majors will never call upon the need for philosophy, I believe that it should be a required course. Philosophy should be required not because of its subject matter, but because of the skills it teaches. Unlike math, philosophy teaches students to look at problems from a variety of angles, to take various approaches to solutions, to keep their minds open to the beliefs of others and critical thinking skills. All of these skills can be applied to a students major of choice, and the outside world. Philosophy courses aid colleges in graduating well rounded young adults with the tools to succeed not only at their job but as a functioning community member. Otterbein as a liberal arts university especially benefits from the skills taught in philosophy, since they expose students to contentious ideas and new ways to observe the world. At the same time, philosophy courses that focus on how to lead better lives teach college students important life lessons and skills. College is a transitional phase between dependence and independence, and thus required philosophy courses that teach students how to live better lives would be beneficial. Regardless of the type of philosophy class taken, students are required to engage and analyze the subject matter in order to understand it. If such a skill was to be mastered as a young adult in undergraduate schooling, the learning of students would greatly