Phil 186 quiz 5
The "original position" is a make-believe scenario, or thought experiment, by which free, rational agents come to agree on certain principles of justice. It is meant to show how those principles of justice meant to govern our everyday social, political, and economic lives are justified.
True
The second part of the second principle states that
Any inequalities in society are to be structured so that they benefit the least advantaged members of society.
The purpose of the "veil of ignorance" in Rawls's thought experiment is to illustrate what social principles people in society would chose if they had a clear indication of all of the consequences of all of their choices.
False
The second part of the second principle is known as the imperative of differential utility.
False
The second principle of justice that people behind the veil of ignorance (and in the original position) will agree upon is divided into two parts. The first part states that "social and economic inequalities are to be attached to positions and offices open to all under conditions of fair equality and opportunity." This means that
There must be equality of opportunity for those positions in society that bring the greatest economic and social rewards.
According to Rawls, in the original position, free agents chose the principles that will govern their everyday lives on the basis of self interest.
True
In the original position, individuals will not choose those principles of justice that benefit society as a whole—as in Utilitarianism; rather, they will choose those principles that benefit them personally.
True
The "veil of ignorance" is central to the hypothetical situation Rawls calls the "original position." In the original position, individuals are behind—or covered by—the veil of ignorance so that they do not know what social position or status they hold in society.
True
There are two principles of justice that people behind the veil of ignorance (and in the original position) will agree upon. The first states that in society each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive total system of basic liberties compatible with a similar system of liberty for all. This means that all individuals are guaranteed as much liberty as possible, but compatible with others having the same amount of liberty.
True
What is the second part of the second principle called?
difference principle.
