Dr. Peter Arcidiacono, Professor of Economics, discusses the end of Affirmative Action with Dr. Jordan B. Peterson. They explore the recent Supreme Court decision, the use of racial preferences in college admissions, the benefits of being told you're not good enough, the impact of race on standardized testing, and potential paths forward for affirmative action.
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Quick takeaways
The recent Supreme Court decision to end race-based affirmative action highlights the need for universities to find alternative ways to achieve diversity.
Athletic preferences, legacy students, and racial preferences are shown to provide significant advantages in the admissions process, emphasizing the need for a fairer system.
Objective evaluations, such as standardized tests like the SAT, are the most reliable and valid means for assessing merit and providing equal opportunities for all students.
Deep dives
Supreme Court ends race-based affirmative action
The recent landmark decision by the Supreme Court to end race-based affirmative action is discussed. The ruling states that race should not be used as a determining factor in admissions and universities must find other ways to achieve diversity. The importance of merit as the best indicator of success is highlighted, and the flaws of using race as a factor in admissions are addressed. The consequences of this decision for universities and the potential loopholes are explored, with a focus on the need for fair and objective admissions processes.
Discrimination and preferences in university admissions
The podcast episode delves into the discrimination and preferences present in university admissions, specifically focusing on athletic preferences, legacy students, and racial preferences. It is revealed that athletic preferences are by far the biggest advantage in the admissions process, with significant advantages given to athletes, including lower academic standards. The discussion also touches upon the advantages given to legacy students and children of donors. The flaws of these preferences and the need for a fairer admissions system are emphasized.
The importance of merit and objective evaluations
The conversation highlights the importance of merit as a criterion for admissions and the significance of objective evaluations. The podcast explores the role of general cognitive ability in predicting academic success and argues that objective evaluations, such as standardized tests like the SAT, are the most reliable and valid means for assessing merit. The limitations of alternative evaluation methods and the benefits of objective testing in providing equal opportunities for all students are emphasized.
Challenges and potential solutions
The challenges universities face in achieving diversity without explicitly using race as a determining factor in admissions are discussed. The debate around holistic admissions as a potential solution is questioned, with a focus on the need to address systemic inequities in K-12 education and promote equal opportunities from an early age. The podcast also explores potential solutions, such as the use of test-based admissions and the importance of data-driven decision-making to achieve fair and equitable outcomes.
Importance of objective testing in university admissions
The podcast discusses the importance of universities using more rigorous objective testing in their admissions process. The host suggests that universities should select candidates based on test scores, but also refine the tests to be more demanding. The goal is to differentiate candidates at the upper end of the academic spectrum and ensure that those who are most likely to succeed in a particular discipline are admitted. This approach would provide qualified students with the opportunity to choose universities where they have a higher chance of success.
Challenges and implications of diversity considerations
The podcast raises concerns about the potential pitfalls of diversity considerations in university admissions. It questions the efficacy and fairness of using an adversity quotient or giving preferential treatment based on race. The host argues that merit should instead be the determining factor, emphasizing the need to select candidates whose features align with the desired performance outcomes of the position. The podcast also highlights how affirmative action policies can create doubt and stigma for qualified individuals, raising questions about their true competence and hindering their progression. Overall, the podcast encourages universities to reevaluate their approach to diversity and focus on providing equal opportunities for all students based on merit.
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson and econometrician Peter Arcidiacono discuss the recent landmark decision by the Supreme Court to end Affirmative Action, how his research was instrumental in that outcome, why merit is repeatedly proven to be the best indicator of success, how compassion is used to cloak racial discrimination, and what might actually yield results in service to the under-resourced communities across the United States.
Peter Arcidiacono is the William Henry Glasson Professor of Economics at Duke University. He received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1999 and has taught at Duke University ever since. He is a fellow of the Econometric Society and the International Association of Applied Econometricians. He is best known for his work in three areas: college major choice, affirmative action in higher education, and structural estimation of dynamic discrete choice models. He served as an expert witness for the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court cases SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC, examining the role race played in the admissions process at both institutions.
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