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

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

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

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

5. 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 individual.
(d) Utilitarianism is never applied to the society.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the Individual gain out of the Social Contract?

2. What is another name for the Original Position?

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

4. How, according to Rawls, does justice help to assign rights and duties?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the rival school to Utilitarian thought during the 20th Century?

2. What concept do Utilitarian thinkers seek to redefine in their own theory?

3. What is the maxim of Utilitarian theory?

4. What is one of the prime problems for the Intuitionist?

5. What other name is generally applied to the Original Position?

6. What theory does Rawls want to re-invigorate in his argument?

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

8. How is the Original Position often criticized?

9. How do Intuitionists justify their innate knowledges?

10. What is the individual afforded in a just society, according to Rawls?

(see the answer keys)

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