Part 1: In your own words, describe early milestones in information storage and retrieval, beginning with the Greek alphabet and proceeding to the advent of Ted Nelson’s creation of the hypertext system.
Part 2: Explain Rawls’ theory of justice, including basic concepts of his thought experiment, and in particular the idea of one’s original position, the veil of ignorance, and the difference principle.
Part 3: Describe evidence that Internet addiction exists based on your personal experience followed by a summary of expert opinion offered in our text. In that context, discuss factors that contribute to Internet addiction.
Sample Answer
Rawls’ Theory of Justice
John Rawls's influential theory of justice as fairness aims to determine the principles a just society would adopt. He argues that the correct principles of justice are those that would be agreed upon by free and rational persons in an initial situation of equality.
The Thought Experiment: The Original Position
Rawls's theory is built around a thought experiment called the Original Position.
The Original Position (OP): This is a hypothetical, initial situation of equality where all members of a society meet to decide on the fundamental rules and structure of their future society. Rawls argues that any agreement reached in this state would be inherently fair because the participants are all equal and nobody can tailor principles to their personal advantage.
Key Concepts
1. The Veil of Ignorance
To ensure fairness in the Original Position, the participants must operate behind the Veil of Ignorance.
Veil of Ignorance: A conceptual device that blinds the parties in the Original Position to all facts about themselves that are morally arbitrary (irrelevant to justice). Specifically, they do not know:
Their social class or status.
Their race, gender, religion, or specific talents (intelligence, strength).
Their personal conception of the good life (their moral or philosophical beliefs).
The economic or political situation of their society.
Purpose: By removing the knowledge of one's own place in society, the Veil forces the parties to choose principles that would be fair for everyone, regardless of what position they might ultimately occupy. They are forced to consider the good of the worst-off, as they themselves might end up in that position (the maximin strategy—maximizing the minimum outcome).