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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the essential problem of Intuitionism?
(a) It doesn't support a healthy economy.
(b) Many philosophers don't agree with it.
(c) Some people do not seem to act with a natural morality.
(d) It makes defending one’s country more difficult.

2. What does Rawls claim about the Social Contract theory?
(a) It is better than Utilitarian theory.
(b) It is better than Marxism.
(c) It is the only philosophy that makes sense.
(d) It is ridiculous.

3. Why does Utilitarian thinking not really understand the difference between persons?
(a) Utilitarianism is never applied to the society.
(b) It perceives persons only as voters.
(c) That different people’s situations mean different levels of happiness, contentment or suffering.
(d) Utilitarianism is never applied to the individual.

4. In what era was the theory of the Social Contract in favor?
(a) The Modern Era.
(b) The Dark Ages.
(c) The Enlightenment.
(d) The Renaissance.

5. What does the Individual lose from the Social Contract?
(a) Complete freedom.
(b) All their freedoms.
(c) The right to own property.
(d) The right to defend themselves.

6. Who was the father of Utilitarianism?
(a) Spinoza.
(b) Karl Marx.
(c) Jesus Christ.
(d) David Hume.

7. What is the greatest criticism levelled against Utilitarianism?
(a) It is not strong enough.
(b) That majority views are ignored.
(c) That minority views are ignored.
(d) It's not realistic.

8. What is the Veil of Ignorance in Rawls' argument?
(a) A metaphor for not being able to tell what kind of society one will later be in.
(b) A garment worn by politicians.
(c) A metaphor for a different type of belief.
(d) A metaphor to describe different types of citizens.

9. What is another name for the Original Position?
(a) The Waiting Room Argument.
(b) The First Argument.
(c) The Man in the Barrel Argument.
(d) The Brain in the Vat Argument.

10. What does the Individual gain out of the Social Contract?
(a) Power and glory.
(b) Money and wealth.
(c) Protection and security.
(d) Military might.

11. In the chapter “The Original Position,” what does Rawls say must be assumed about the person?
(a) That they are a rational person.
(b) That they know the principles of philosophy.
(c) That they are wealthy.
(d) That they are tall.

12. What does Rawls accept about his own theory?
(a) That there is a degree of Marxism within it.
(b) That there is a certain amount of Intuitionism present in 'fairness'.
(c) That it might be hard to apply to the real world.
(d) That it is quite socialist.

13. Where did the early Intuitionists believe they got their appreciation of morals, rights and wrongs or fairness?
(a) The king.
(b) Their parents.
(c) Nature.
(d) God.

14. What is John Stuart Mill's Theory of Higher Pleasures?
(a) The belief that feelings are better pleasures than stability, wealth or objects.
(b) The belief that one should spend the most money on the finest things in life.
(c) The belief that intellectualism, refinement and poetry are better pleasures that dancing, lust or wealth.
(d) The belief that going to church is the highest form of pleasure.

15. What is the first virtue of social institution, according to Rawls?
(a) Justice.
(b) Militarism.
(c) Wealth.
(d) Strength.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who should hold the greatest advantage in Rawls’ ideal society?

2. Why is the argument called the Original Position?

3. What is the maxim of Utilitarian philosophy?

4. What branch of philosophy is this book concerned with?

5. What does Rawls think a person would decide about their society if they had any choice?

(see the answer keys)

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