Final answer:
The hiring manager is violating the core social justice principle of equality by discriminating against job applicants based on their age, which goes against both the ethical standards of social justice and legal protections like the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hiring manager in the scenario is violating the principle of equality among the five core principles of social justice. This principle emphasizes that all individuals should be treated the same before the law and have equal access to opportunities, regardless of personal characteristics like age. By choosing to offer jobs only to applicants under 40, the hiring manager is engaging in discriminatory practices, which goes against the spirit of social justice as well as specific legal protections such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These laws are in place to ensure that applicants are evaluated and hired based on their qualifications and abilities, rather than age or other unrelated personal characteristics.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) administers federal anti-discrimination laws, and recommends against employers asking questions about personal characteristics protected by law. Decisions that are influenced by group membership, such as age, that do not directly affect job performance are considered discriminatory. This undermines equality of opportunity, which is essential for a just and fair society.