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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Rawls want his theory of justice to be?
(a) The dominant political view.
(b) Something to destroy the theories of Utilitarianism.
(c) A viable alternative to other theories.
(d) Something to remember.

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

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

7. What does Rawls believe is the dominant theory of political philosophy throughout the 20th Century?
(a) Socialism.
(b) Republicanism.
(c) Utilitarianism.
(d) Ontology.

8. Why is the argument called the Original Position?
(a) Because it is about the first thing that a person sees when they wake up.
(b) Because it was a very early argument that Rawls revived.
(c) Because it comes before everything else.
(d) Because it was the first argument Rawls thought of.

9. How does the ignorant chooser know what is fair and what is not, according to Rawls?
(a) Because the monarch told them so.
(b) Because they are taught what to believe.
(c) Because of an innate knowledge of fairness.
(d) Because God told them so.

10. Which century was Intuitionism first developed?
(a) Seventeenth.
(b) Fifteenth.
(c) Sixteenth.
(d) Eighteenth.

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

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

13. What is the implicit assumption that the Social Contract theory makes?
(a) That there is some form of agreement between Individual and government.
(b) That there is a scientific truth.
(c) That everyone intrinsically knows right from wrong.
(d) That there is a God.

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

15. What does Rawls think a person would decide about their society if they had any choice?
(a) That it would be at least a strong society.
(b) That it be at least a wealthy society.
(c) That it would be at least fair.
(d) That it be at least a beautiful land.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what era was the theory of the Social Contract in favor?

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

3. What is the maxim of Utilitarian philosophy?

4. What does Rawls claim about the Social Contract theory?

5. What defines a good society, according to Rawls?

(see the answer keys)

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