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

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

3. Who should hold the greatest advantage in Rawls’ ideal society?
(a) No one.
(b) The poor.
(c) The royals.
(d) The rich.

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

5. What defines a good society, according to Rawls?
(a) A strong society.
(b) A wealthy society.
(c) A just society.
(d) A society that owns the most land.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Rawls believe is the dominant theory of political philosophy throughout the 20th Century?

2. What does Rawls want his theory of justice to be?

3. Which century was Intuitionism first developed?

4. How does the ignorant chooser know what is fair and what is not, according to Rawls?

5. Where did the early Intuitionists believe they got their appreciation of morals, rights and wrongs or fairness?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Rawls accept that his own argument is Intuitionist?

4. Why does Rawls move away from Individualist ethics?

5. Why is it important that we have a Just society?

6. What problems does a just society answer, according to Rawls?

7. What is Rawls’ criticism of Utilitarianism?

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

9. What does the term ‘a priori’ mean, and what is an a priori truth?

10. How does Rawls seek to 'fix' or solve Intuitionism?

(see the answer keys)

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