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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. 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.

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

3. How, according to Rawls, does justice help to assign rights and duties?
(a) It states who has the power and who doesn't.
(b) It ensures that there is an equal distribution of such.
(c) It enforces the law.
(d) It ensures that some people get more duties than others.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. What does the Individual lose from the Social Contract?

4. What do Intuitionist' believe in?

5. What is the implicit assumption that the Social Contract theory makes?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is one of the essential difficulties of Utilitarian theory?

3. What does an Intuitionist believe is the innate?

4. What is the problem of inclusion in the Social Contract Theory?

5. What choice is the hypothetical person in the Original Position offered?

6. What does it seem rational that the hypothetical person in the Original Position chooses?

7. What is the maxim of Utilitarian theory?

8. Why could Contract Theory be called pessimistic?

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

10. How is the Original Position often criticized?

(see the answer keys)

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