Prestige Bias: An Obstacle to a Just Academic Philosophy

Ergo: An Open Access Journal of Philosophy 5 (2018)
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Abstract

This paper examines the role of prestige bias in shaping academic philosophy, with a focus on its demographics. I argue that prestige bias exacerbates the structural underrepresentation of minorities in philosophy. It works as a filter against (among others) philosophers of color, women philosophers, and philosophers of low socio-economic status. As a consequence of prestige bias our judgments of philosophical quality become distorted. I outline ways in which prestige bias in philosophy can be mitigated.

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Helen De Cruz
Saint Louis University

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