Deck 20: A Theory of Justice John Rawls

Question 1

Which of the following is not one of the characteristics of people in the "original position?"

A) They do not know their social status.
B) They do not know what "justice" means.
C) They do not know what their conception of the good is.
D) They do not know how talented they are.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Rawls conceives of the "original position of equality" as

A) a moral ideal to be realized in society as far as possible.
B) a natural stage in human psychological development.
C) an historical probability.
D) a purely hypothetical situation.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The principles chosen by those in Rawls's original position would require

A) social ownership of the means of production.
B) equality of authority.
C) equality of basic rights.
D) All of the above

Answer 3

C

Question 4

In Rawls's view, can economic inequality be compatible with justice?

A) Yes, provided that it has come about by fair dealings
B) Yes, provided that it results in compensating benefits for the least advantaged
C) Yes, provided that the poverty of some is offset by a net increase in social well-being
D) No

Question 5

The usefulness of the original position is that

A) it corresponds to the most natural state of human relations.
B) all of us have at least a dim memory of what it was like to be in it.
C) it ensures that social benefits will be allocated strictly based on merit.
D) it makes it impossible to tailor principles to one's own advantage.

Question 6

What does Rawls take as the basis of equality among those in the original position?

A) They all have a conception of their good and a sense of justice.
B) They are all equally endowed with natural ability.
C) Each thinks him- or herself to be at least as wise as the rest.
D) They are all children of the same God.

Question 7

Which of the following is not one of the basic liberties identified by Rawls?

A) Freedom of assembly
B) The right to hold personal property
C) Freedom from arbitrary arrest
D) The right to bear arms

Question 8

Rawls refers to his theory as

A) justice as equality.
B) justice as fairness.
C) justice as liberty.
D) None of the above

Question 9

According to Rawls, we can enter the original position

A) only by leaving society and remaking social institutions from scratch.
B) at any time, by simply following a certain procedure.
C) only if we somehow forget who we are, which is very rare.
D) None of the above

Question 10

Rawls's "original position of equality" corresponds to the state of nature in traditional political theory.

Question 11

Rawls's theory of justice rests on those principles that a purely disinterested observer would select.

Question 12

The principles chosen by people in Rawls's original position would eliminate all inequality.

Question 13

Rawls believes that natural ability should not give one a leg up in a quest for political and economic advantage.

Question 14

Rawls uses the term "veil of ignorance" to refer to everything that prevents us in ordinary life from seeing what justice requires of us.

Question 15

Positions of authority in a just society must be open to all.

Question 16

Rawls's theory is a form of utilitarianism.

Question 17

Rawls believes that basic liberties can be infringed on so long as the result is greater social and economic advantages for all, particularly the least fortunate.

Question 18

Rawls argues that fairness requires that no people receive different treatment.

Question 19

Rawls states, "Injustice, then, is simply inequalities that are not to the benefit of all." Do you agree with this claim? Why or why not? How does this conception of injustice manifest itself in Rawls's theory?

Question 20

Can you think of an example of a current social policy that people in the original position would not agree to adopt? How about one they would? In explaining your answer, be sure to make reference to Rawls's two principles of justice.

Question 21

Try to put on the veil of ignorance and imagine yourself in the original position. Are the principles Rawls identifies the same as those you would choose? Why or why not?