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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the maxim of Utilitarian philosophy?

2. What is another name for the Original Position?

3. What do Intuitionist' believe in?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the implicit argument in Social Contract Theory?

3. What does Rawls see as the problem of Intuition?

4. Does Social Contract Theory have an opt-out policy?

5. Why could Contract Theory be called pessimistic?

6. What is the difference between the 'good' society and the Eudaimon, of 'Good Life' that Aristotle and Plato advocated?

7. In what way is the Original Position a proponent of Intuition or Innate Ideas?

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

9. When was the theory that Rawls wants to re-invigorate in his argument prevalent?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine and critique Rawls’ argument about religious tolerance/Intolerance. What arguments can you think of to support his claim and what detract from it?

Essay Topic 2

Consider the political movements of the 20th and 21st Century (Gay Pride, Women's Liberation, Occupy, the Civil Rights Movement, etc.). How do these movements relate to Rawls’ theory of the Social Contract and the Original Position?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and Contrast Rawls’ theory of Justice as Fairness with the school of Utilitarianism.

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