Social Contract Ethics

These flashcards summarize key concepts of Social Contract Theory as discussed in the lecture notes.

What is the basic premise of Social Contract Theory?

People live together in society according to an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior.

What do social contract theorists believe about moral norms and political systems?

They arise from agreements, either explicit or implicit.

What does the State of Nature refer to in social contract theory?

A theoretical condition before the establishment of society or government.

How did Thomas Hobbes describe the state of nature?

Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

What is Hobbes' viewpoint on human motivation?

Human beings are motivated by self-interest and fear.

How does John Locke's view of the state of nature differ from Hobbes'?

Locke saw it as relatively peaceful but lacking security and protection of property rights.

What rights do individuals consent to protect in Locke's social contract?

Life, liberty, and property.

Who is Jan Narveson and what does he advocate?

A contemporary philosopher who argues for social contract theory based on mutual benefit.

Define Psychological Egoism.

The theory that all human actions are motivated by self-interest.

What does Ethical Egoism propose?

Individuals ought to act in their own self-interest.

What is the Principle of the Social Contract?

Individuals agree to sacrifice some freedoms and abide by rules to gain benefits of a well-ordered society.

How does Kroger's use of facial recognition technology relate to the social contract?

It raises questions about whether it violates the implicit social contract businesses have with their customers.

Rational Egoism

Realization that cooperation leads to greater personal benefit than living in a state of nature.

Rule Egoism

Theory that individuals should follow rules that are in their long-term self-interest