In political philosophy, what is John Rawls's 'veil of ignorance' thought experiment designed to determine?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. The principles of justice that rational people would choose if ignorant of their own social status, wealth, or talents
- Step 1: In 'A Theory of Justice', Rawls placed decision-makers behind a veil of ignorance in the 'original position'. Step 2. Because individuals do not know whether they will be rich or poor, healthy or disabled, they choose principles that protect the most disadvantaged (the difference principle). Answer: The principles of justice that rational people would choose if ignorant of their own social status, wealth, or talents. Why not the others: It provides a rational framework for fairness and distributive equity.
Practise more Historical Historiography, Political Philosophy and Constitutional Principles.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed New Zealand Scholarship mock tests.
More Historical Historiography, Political Philosophy and Constitutional Principles questions
- What fundamental constitutional principle distinguishes New Zealand's unentrenched constitution from that of the United States?
- What core difference exists between the English text and the Maori text (Te Tiriti) of Article 1 of the Treaty of Waitangi (1840)?
- What landmark 1987 court case established that the Treaty of Waitangi creates an enduring partnership requiring active protection?
- In Thomas Hobbes's 'Leviathan', why do rational individuals agree to enter into a social contract?
- What was Chief Justice Prendergast's infamous ruling in Wi Parata v Bishop of Wellington (1877)?
- In historiography, what is 'Whig history' and why do modern historians criticize it?