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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the maxim of Utilitarian philosophy?
(a) The greatest good to the deserving.
(b) The greatest good for the greatest number.
(c) Might makes right.
(d) The greatest good to the wealthiest.

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

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

4. 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.

5. What branch of philosophy is this book concerned with?
(a) Metaphysics.
(b) Skeptical.
(c) Political.
(d) Epistemology.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. Why did Hobbes see the necessity of the Social Contract?

4. What is the Veil of Ignorance in Rawls' argument?

5. What is the greatest criticism levelled against Utilitarianism?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Rawls’ estimation, why is fairness the best virtue for society?

2. How is the Original Position often criticized?

3. According to the Social Contract Theory, what does the individual willingly sacrifice, and what are they rewarded in return?

4. In what way would the German philosopher Nietzsche argue against the Original Position?

5. What does an Intuitionist believe is the innate?

6. What is the definition of the 'good' society in Rawls’ view?

7. How did John Stuart Mill seek to redefine the Utilitarian maxim?

8. What is the maxim of Utilitarian theory?

9. According to the chapter “The Original Position,” what do we have to assume about the individual's rational capabilities?

10. Why does Social Contract Theory work so well with a Theory of Rights?

(see the answer keys)

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