Affirmative action has been a divisive issue in the United States for over 25 years. Recent attempts to reform current policies by referendum, legislation and judicial action have only intensified the debate. This collection of philosophical papers traces the main lines of argument over the moral justification of affirmative action. The essays, which comprise more than two decades of writing on the subject, present contributions on both sides of this highly charged issue. The opening articles draw the reader into the controversy, offering arguments and counter-arguments, revisions and rebuttals. Many of the selections refer to each other’s arguments, and the book is structured to emphasize these connections. The final contributions provide a range of conflicting overviews.