Final answer:
True. Sandel argues that the purpose of the university must be considered when discussing affirmative action. The Supreme Court has ruled that considering race as one factor in college admissions is acceptable, but setting quotas is not. Opponents and supporters both have different perspectives on the impact of affirmative action.
Step-by-step explanation:
True. Affirmative action is a topic that has sparked debate, particularly in relation to college admissions. Sandel argues that when it comes to affirmative action, one must answer the question of what the university's purpose is. This raises the question of whether the goal of the application process is to select the best candidates or to promote social goals like the representation of underrepresented groups.
Affirmative action attempts to address discrimination based on race or ethnicity, and its legality has been the subject of several Supreme Court cases. The Court has ruled that considering race as one factor in college admissions is acceptable, but setting aside seats for specific quotas of minority students is not. The Court also requires that the utility of race-based admissions be regularly re-evaluated.
Opponents of affirmative action argue that it gives preference to less qualified individuals based on factors unrelated to performance, while supporters argue that it promotes diversity and equal opportunities for traditionally disadvantaged groups.