Social Contract Theory #3

justificatory reason

anyone rational recognizes this

ie. with a pet: loyalty, friendly, low commitment

explanatory reason

causes and why you hold it

ie. something personal, like i am allergic to cats

kant

• morality is a check on individual behaviors to ensure we live in a society where we pursue individual well-being

• morality is universal and not contingent on individual beliefs or emotions

• valid for all rational beings

categorical imperative

formulations include: formula of humanity, formula of universal law, formula of autonomy, formula of realm of ends

formula of humanity (FH)

an action is right iff the action treats people (including yourself) as ends in themselves and not merely as a means

why does kant believe that treating people as a mere means is wrong

bypassing one’s exercise of rationality (making choices for themselves)

universal law

an action is right if one can conceive of everyone adopting and acting on the personal policy that underlies the action and consistently will that everyone act on that personal policy

CC and CW tests

CC test

if your personal policy is a universal law would it contradict itself

• ie. making false promises. if everyone made these promises no one would believe others making it so that you can’t consistently conceive that everyone act on this → acting in an immoral policy and this action is wrong

• perfect (narrow) duties

CW Test

• ie. whenever I am able to help others in need I won’t help them, this is a conceivable idea but if you will that everyone acts on this then you are willing that others refuse to help when you are in need which is inconsistent that as a rational agent you will that others help when you are in need

  • Derives imperfect (wide) duties

ethical rules

set of conventionally established limits we impose on ourselves in keeping with longer-term interests

answers two questions: what is required in morality and why we should obey

hobbes

social contract theory for survival and mutual beneficial ness

rawls

action is right if it is permitted by moral principles that hypothetical agents would agree to under ideal conditions

hypothetical agents

free equal and rational

ideal conditions

ideal agents choose principles of justice under a veil of ignorance

principle of greatest equal liberty

everyone has right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with that of others

• right to vote, run for public office, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech

difference principle

social and economic inequailities are arranged so they have the greatest benefit of the least-advantaged member in society and are attached to positions and offices open to all

Rossian-

prioiritizes liberty and equality based on a “veil of ignorance”; allows social and economic inequality if it benefits the least advantaged 

Kantian

act only on principles you could logically want everyone else to follow (universal) and treat all people as ends in themselves, not just as means to an end

Social contract theorist

individuals give up certain freedoms to a government in exchange for the protection of their rights and the maintenance of social order