Social Contract Theory

Social Contract Theory

Morality is a collective agreement among people to follow specific rules to

reduce social chaos and create peace.

Social Contract Theory

Individuals set aside their own hostilities toward others in exchange

for others doing the same. We agree to follow basic moral rules because life is better

for everyone when we do.

(Social justification)

Social Contract Theory ask: Why does society need moral rules?

(Personal motivation)

Social Contract Theory asks:Why should I be moral?

Thomas Hobbes, "State of Nature"

Without rules, humans live in a state of constant war—a "war of all against all".

○ Keeping society from falling apart.

○ Reducing human suffering.

○ Promoting human flourishing.

○ Resolving conflicts of interest in just and orderly ways.

○ Assigning praise and blame, reward and punishment, and guilt.

The sources identify five social benefits of establishing and obeying moral

rules:

The Story of Gyges (Plato):

A shepherd finds a ring that makes him invisible. He uses it to kill the king and take the throne.

corrupts the inner person.

plato said: Immorality "______". Virtue is to the soul what health is to the body

The Prisoner’s Dilemma:

This model shows that while individual "cheating" might

seem like the best move in a single instance, it leads to the second-worst outcome for

everyone involved.

Clever Amoralist

A "clever" person might break rules when they won't get

caught, performing a cost-benefit analysis of deceit.

Habitual morality

creates a moral character. Once a person

becomes virtuous, they cannot simply "turn it off." Yielding to temptation causes internal

"alienation" and guilt that outweighs the gain.

Modified Principle of Rational Self-Interest

It is rational to choose a life plan that includes being moral, because that type of life is the "best sort of life" and most likely to lead to flourishing.

Rational Gamble:

Being moral does not guarantee success or happiness, but

consistently choosing to be immoral is likely to make your life worse in the long run.

Morality

is not just a burden; it is a necessary mechanism of social control that

allows humans to move from a state of nature into a state of civilization and

personal fulfillment.