Deck 74: John Rawls: The Contemporary Liberal Answer

Question 1

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Rawls says that some people deserve their more favorable starting place in society.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-The original position is an actual historical state of affairs.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Rawls says traditional theories are based on the assumption that there is a wall of separation between private and public life and that only public life is the proper concern of political theory.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-For Rawls, utility always trumps equality.

Question 5

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Rawls believes that the veil of ignorance sometimes actually exists in society.

Question 6

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Rawls detests the welfare state.

Question 7

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Rawls says that people in the lower levels of society deserve their lot in life.

Question 8

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Rawls say that we do not deserve our natural talents and abilities.

Question 9

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Rawls's views are politically conservative.