Moral Problems in Higher Education brings together key essays that explore ethical issues in academia. The editor and contributors-all noted philosophers and educators-consider such topics as academic freedom and tenure, free speech on campus, sexual harassment, preferential student admissions, affirmative action in faculty appointments, and the ideal of a politically neutral university. Chapters address possible restrictions on research because of moral concerns, the structure of peer review, telling the truth to colleagues and students, and concerns raised by intercollegiate athletics.

Cahn selects two key readings in each area to offer a readable introductory guide to these critical subjects for students studying academic ethics and higher education policy. In addition to the selections and a general introduction, Cahn provides study questions for use in the classroom.

Contributors include Scott F. Aikin, Derek Bok, William G. Bowen, Myles Brand, Richard T. DeGeorge, Paul D. Eisenberg, Leslie Pickering Francis, Martin P. Golding, Philip Kitcher, Charles R. Lawrence III, David Lewis, Paul J. Olscamp, Nancy Tuana, David Shatz, George Sher, Robert L. Simon, Robert B. Talisse, Stephan Thernstrom, Abigail Thernstrom, Laurence Thomas, Robert Paul Wolff, and the editor.

"This book is recommended for anyone interested in understanding, questioning, articulating, and acting on the basis of their own and others' perspectives on sexism, racism, and affirmative action in American higher education." --Choice While equal opportunity for all candidates is widely recognized as a goal within academia, the implementation of specific procedures to achieve equality has resulted in vehement disputes regarding both the means and ends. To encourage a reexamination of this issue, Cahn asked three prominent American social philosophers--Leslie Pickering Francis, Robert L. Simon, and Lawrence C. Becker--who hold divergent views about affirmative action, to write extended essays presenting their views. Twenty-two other philosophers then respond to these three principal essays. While no consensus is reached, the resulting clash of reasoned judgments will serve to revitalize the issues raised by affirmative action. Contents Introduction - Steven M. Cahn Part I 1. In Defense of Affirmative Action - Leslie Pickering Francis 2. Affirmative Action and the University: Faculty Appointment and Preferential Treatment - Robert L. Simon 3. Affirmative Action and Faculty Appointments - Lawrence C. Becker Part II 4. What Good Am I? - Laurence Thomas 5. Who "Counts" on Campus? - Ann Hartle 6. Reflections on Affirmative Action in Academia - Robert G. Turnbull 7. The Injustice of Strong Affirmative Action - John Kekes 8. Preferential Treatment Versus Purported Meritocratic Rights - Richard J. Arneson 9. Faculties as Civil Societies: A Misleading Model for Affirmative Action - Jeffrie G. Murphy 10. Facing Facts and Responsibilities - The White Man's Burden and the Burden of Proof - Karen Hanson 11. Affirmative Action: Relevant Knowledge and Relevant Ignorance - Joel J. Kupperman 12. Remarks on Affirmative Action - Andrew Oldenquist 13. Affirmative Action and the Multicultural Ideal - Philip L. Quinn 14. "Affirmative Action" in the Cultural Wars - Frederick A. Olafson 15. Quotas by Any Name: Some Problems of Affirmative Action in Faculty Appointments - Tom L. Beauchamp 16. Are Quotas Sometimes Justified? - James Rachels 17. Proportional Representation of Women and Minorities - Celia Wolf-Devine 18. An Ecological Concept of Diversity - La Verne Shelton 19. Careers Open to Talent - Ellen Frankel Paul 20. Some Sceptical Doubts - Alasdair MacIntyre 21. Affirmative Action and Tenure Decisions - Richard T. De George 22. Affirmative Action and the Awarding of Tenure - Peter J. Markie 23. The Case for Preferential Treatment - James P. Sterba 24. Saying What We Think - Fred Sommers 25. Comments on Compromise and Affirmative Action - Alan H. Goldman About the Authors Index About the Author(s) Steven M. Cahn is Professor of Philosophy and former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He has published numerous other books, including Morality, Responsibility, and the University (Temple). Contributors: Laurence Thomas, Ann Hartle, Robert G. Turnbull, John Kekes, Richard J. Arneson, Jeffrie G. Murphy, Karen Hanson, Joel J. Kupperman, Andrew Oldenquist, Philip L. Quinn, Frederick A. Olafson, Tom L. Beauchamp, James Rachels, Celia Wolf-Devine, La Verne Shelton, Ellen Frankel Paul, Alasdair MacIntyre, Richard T. De George, Peter J. Markie, James P. Sterba, Fred Sommers, Alan H. Goldman, and the editor.

"[A] timely and important book.... These thoughtful essays surely will shape the debate about morality in higher education for years to come and provide guidance in the quest to improve the quality of campus Iife." --Ernest L. Boyer, President, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching This book, the first of its kind, consists of fourteen original essays by noted American philosophers critically investigating crucial moral issues generated by academic life. The authors ask: What are the standards of conduct appropriate in class-rooms, departmental meetings, and faculty meetings, in grading students, evaluating colleagues, and engaging in research? "The need for appropriate, sustained, philosophical analyses and examinations of practical ethics dilemmas in academic life undoubtedly is required since the reporting of questionable conduct alone does little to resolve the problem. This book of essays provides a vehicle for beginning this sustained investigation." --Betty A. Sichel, Long Island University "The essays address neglected matters which not only should, but I believe will, be of interest to academics...and perhaps a few administrators, which would be a very good thing indeed." --Hans Oberdiek, Swarthmore College