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Affirmative action refers to steps taken to eliminate discrimination—whether in employment, housing, or education—but also to redress the effects of past discrimination. The underlying motive for affirmative action is the principle of equal opportunity, which holds that all persons have the right to equal access to self-development. In other words, persons with equal abilities should have equal opportunities. Historically, however this has not been the case as those in power have kept opportunities for themselves and those similar to them, with the result that minorities and others not of the ruling class have experienced limited opportunities. Affirmative action is thus the attempt to rectify this situation by mandating opportunities be made available to those distinguished by their minority or under-represented status. Some groups who are targeted for affirmative action are characterized by gender, ethnicity, or disability status.

Popular Article: Soul

A depiction of an angel and a demon fighting for a man's soul

In many religious and philosophical systems, the word "soul" denotes the inner essence of a being comprising its locus of sapience (self-awareness) and metaphysical identity. Souls are usually described as immortal (surviving death in an afterlife) and incorporeal (without bodily form); however, some consider souls to have a material component, and have even tried to establish the mass (or weight) of the soul. Additionally, while souls are often described as immortal they are not necessarily eternal or indestructible, as is commonly assumed.

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Abigail Adams, wife of second president John Adams, and mother of John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States, was the first First Lady to live in the White House (source: Abigail Adams)

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