(Oct 30 - Nov 3) Rawls

Question 1

The people in the original position…

Answer 1

don’t know what their positions in society will be.

Question 2

According to Rawls, the first principle that would be chosen in the original position says that…

Answer 2

basic rights and duties are the same for everyone

Question 3

The difference principle says that an inequality is justified only if…

Answer 3

it benefits those who are worst off.

Question 4

Rawls writes: “No one deserves his greater natural capacity nor merits a more favorable starting place
in society.” What follows from this, in his opinion?

Answer 4

Benefits shouldn’t be distributed according to peoples’ natural capacities.

Question 5

Rawls defines a society as a group of people who cooperate for the sake of…

Answer 5

mutual advantage.

Question 6

Rawls asks us to imagine people together choosing the principles that will determine how their society
will be run. What is his name for the situation in which this choice is made?

Answer 6

the original position

Question 7

Rawls makes two main claims:
1. In the original position, the choice of principles is a fair choice.
2. In the original position, people will choose the principles that he describes.
What is his claim about the logical relationship between claims (1) and (2)?

Answer 7

Neither of the above: (1) and (2) are logically independent.

Question 8

Rawls says that if we are satisfied with a theory of justice, but then realize that it conflicts with some
strong beliefs that we have about what is just, then it is reasonable to…

Answer 8

adjust either the theory, or those beliefs, depending on which strikes us as a more reasonable solution.