social contract theories

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Social Contract TheoriesSocial Contract Theories

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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IntroductionIntroduction

Reminder on Kant: What is morality?

Social Contract Theories: - Foundation of morality- Legitimacy of government in the modern Western

world

Hobbes: Morality based on self-interest!

Hobbes, Kant and Rawls

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OutlineOutline

From the state of nature to the social contract

Morality and self-interest: the prisoner’s dilemma

Advantages

Conclusion

Objections and Answers

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The State of NatureThe State of Nature

State of nature = state of war ``of every man against every man”

Why?1- equality of need2- scarcity of resources 3- equality of power4- self interest

The state of nature is to be avoided!

Why is it bad?“and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”

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The Social ContractThe Social Contract

Foundation: Rational, self-interested people

Components:1st law: each one protects oneself 2nd law: give up the liberties when the others do too, in

order to guarantee peaceful social living 3: Establishment of government necessary – receives the

liberties that the citizen have given up

Entering the Social Contract is the best strategy to satisfy our own interests

Is it true?

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OutlineOutline

From the state of nature to the social contract

Morality and self-interest: the prisoner’s dilemma

Objections and Answers

Conclusion

Advantages

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The Prisoner Dilemma: The Prisoner Dilemma: (Flood and Mesmer 1950)(Flood and Mesmer 1950)

The game:

Cooperation is the best rational choice in cases of inter-related interests

Jones accuses S.

Jones does not

Smith accuses J.

5/5 10/0

Smith does not

0/10 1/1Rational answer for each prisoner: To accuse the otherResult: worse for both than cooperation

Game Theory

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OutlineOutline

From the state of nature to the social contract

Morality and self-interest: the prisoner’s dilemma

Objections and Answers

Conclusion

Advantages

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Advantages of Social Contract Advantages of Social Contract TheoriesTheories

1. Foundation of moral social behavior: where the rules come from and why we follow them

2. Bounds on morality:- Private vs public life- Civil disobedience- No moral favors required

SCT restrict morality to the necessary rules for peaceful social living

Foundation of Democratic Governement

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OutlineOutline

From the state of nature to the social contract

Morality and self-interest: the prisoner’s dilemma

Objections and Answers

Conclusion

Advantages

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Objections and AnswersObjections and Answers

Objections Answers

Egoism(Hobbes)

Impartiality(Kant, Rawls)

Actual Contract(Hobbes)

Implicit Contract(Kant, Rawls)

No responsibility outside of contract(Hobbes)

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OutlineOutline

From the state of nature to the social contract

Morality and self-interest: the prisoner’s dilemma

Objections and Answers

Conclusion

Advantages

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Social Contract TheoriesSocial Contract TheoriesConclusionConclusion

Deficient as a foundation of moralityMoral behavior is more than rational behavior between

rational agentsSuccessful as a foundation of political authorityReminder: legal vs moralObligations and Rights of citizens in modern democracies