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

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

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

4. What does Rawls accept about his own theory?

5. In the chapter “The Original Position,” what does Rawls say must be assumed about the person?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Rawls move away from Individualist ethics?

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

4. Who does the individual have a contract with, according to the Social Contract Theory?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What is the veil of ignorance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

How can we consider A Theory of Justice to be a work-in-progress?

Essay Topic 3

To what extent do you agree or disagree with Rawls's theory of Justice as Fairness?

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