The Original Position guidebook explores the philosophical bases behind the concepts introduced in the novel and includes excerpts of original works by such philosophers and writers as John Dewey, B.F. Skinner, Charles Darwin, Thomas Hobbes, Ayn Rand, Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, and John Rawls. The readings will introduce students to various theories about how to achieve both peace and justice in society—an ever-elusive goal that has been studied since nearly the dawn of philosophical thought.

This guidebook can be used by instructors, but it is meant to be a companion book to the novel that enables students to understand the theories and beliefs of an array of individuals who explored the problem of establishing a society that is peaceful yet just, despite the often-opposing tendencies of human nature. It provides for each set of two to five novel chapters a summary of the plot developments, an original reading by a major philosopher or writer, and discussion questions to promote a deep examination of the philosophical concepts and ideas in both the reading and the novel.