Social Contractarianism

A detailed Summary of Social Contractarianism

Given that political obligation may be defined as an obligation to obey the rules and laws set by the state, although aside from this obligation, one would not feel obliged to do so, we find many explanations as to the motives of political obligation as set forth by David Gauthier. In his essay "The Social Contract as Ideology" Gauthier offers a statement given by Thomas Hobbes that "our thoughts and relationships... are best understood by supposing that we treat all of these relationships as if they were contractual" (29). This suggested theory is that of the social contract.

By nature, we find that men are competitive beings, due to the fact that they are appropriative creatures always seeking more goods, and more power. Gauthier suggests that "men find themselves in an increasingly competitive situation, in which the security of their property is continually decreasing" (35). If men are driven by a continual desire to

Gauthier says that men by nature have a hostile relationship with one another. The social contract theory suggests that it is rational to participate in a social relationship with a few others, as it can be beneficial. The primary argument for social obligation under the social contract theory is that it makes more sense to enter a contractual relationship with others and to submit to coercive authority regarding these contracts than to enter into war with them. Gauthier suggests that "All members of society must regard coercion as both beneficial and necessary" (32). He also says that "men find themselves in an increasingly competitive situation, in which the security of their property is continually decreasing" (35). In order to successfully protect his interests, it is rational that any man submit to authority.

Given these circumstances, it only makes sense that one would want to subscribe to the laws of the state. G

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 625
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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Social Contractarianism

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