Listening: Rawls and the Veil of Ignorance

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B1 | Listening from video | 12 min

Watch the video (0:06 - 5:34). You can watch more than once, then answer the questions.

Why are the people in the thought experiment placed under a "veil of ignorance"?

____ So they can make decisions more quickly____ So no one can rig the system to help themselves____ So they can learn more about each other

ONE WORD from the video.

Rawls was sure that his principles could only work in a ____ .

Rawls thought that free market ideas led to a fair share of wealth and power.

____ True____ False____ Not Given

What would the people agree on first, according to Rawls?

____ Everyone gets equal basic freedoms, such as free speech.____ Rich citizens get more votes than poor citizens.____ Jobs are given to people based on their age.

ONE WORD from the video.

Higher profits can motivate ____ , productivity and investment.

When are differences in wealth acceptable under the difference principle?

____ When they come from hard work____ When they are very small____ When they help the people who have the least

Rawls wanted voting to be compulsory for all citizens.

____ True____ False____ Not Given

What is Martha Nussbaum's criticism of the thought experiment?

____ It gives too much power to the poorest people.____ It ignores real-life needs, such as those of people with disabilities.____ It does not work in a democracy.

ONE WORD from the video.

The thought experiment challenges people to look past their ____ and think about a fair society.

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