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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 branch of philosophy is this book concerned with?

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

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

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

5. What is the first virtue of social institution, according to Rawls?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the popular definition of a Utilitarian object?

2. Why did Adam Smith believe that Utilitarian economics were the best possible system?

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

4. What is Rawls’ criticism of Utilitarianism?

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

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

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

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

9. Why is Utilitarian theory so easy to maintain?

10. When was Intuitionism first developed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Social Contract

a. What is the Social Contract? Who ascribes and who developed this philosophy?

b. In what way is the social contract pessimistic about human nature? How is it compatible with an optimistic view of human nature?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the views of Rawls with that of John Stuart Mill. In what ways do they differ? How would John Stuart Mill argue against Rawls' claims?

Essay Topic 3

Contrast Rawls’ Original Position of a an individual wanting fairness over all things with Nietzsche's view that human nature has the drive to be strong (the Will-to-Power).

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