Final answer:
The veil of ignorance is a thought experiment in social contract theory that encourages unbiased decision-making. It asks individuals to imagine themselves in an original position where they have no knowledge of their own characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The veil of ignorance is a concept in social contract theory, specifically associated with the philosopher John Rawls. It is a thought experiment that asks individuals to imagine themselves in an original position where they have no knowledge of their own characteristics, such as age, gender, education, income, ethnicity, or other qualities. The purpose of this exercise is to encourage empathetic and unbiased decision-making, as people would not be driven by self-interest or bias if they were unaware of their personal traits.