Social Contract Theory

Definition

Social contract theory is a philosophical concept that explains the origin of society and the legitimacy of the authority of the state over the individual. It proposes that individuals have consented, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the government or ruler in exchange for the benefits of organized society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Social contract theory is a foundational concept in political philosophy, providing a framework for understanding the legitimacy of government and the obligations of citizens.
2. The theory posits that individuals in the state of nature, where there is no organized political authority, agree to form a society and submit to a sovereign power in order to secure their natural rights and enjoy the benefits of social cooperation.
3. The social contract is not a literal agreement, but rather a hypothetical construct used to explain the moral and political obligations that arise from the formation of society.
4. Prominent philosophers who have contributed to the development of social contract theory include Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, each with their own unique perspectives on the nature of the social contract.
5. Social contract theory is closely related to the concept of political legitimacy, as it provides a justification for the authority of the state and the duty of citizens to obey the law.

Review Questions

• Explain how the social contract theory relates to the concept of metaethics and the justification of moral norms.
  • In the context of metaethics, social contract theory provides a framework for understanding the origin and legitimacy of moral norms. By positing that individuals in the state of nature agree to a social contract, the theory suggests that moral obligations and the authority of the state to enforce them are derived from this hypothetical agreement. This challenges moral realist perspectives that view moral truths as objective and independent of human agreement, and instead proposes a constructivist approach where morality is the product of rational self-interested individuals coming together to establish a system of shared rules and obligations.
• Analyze how the social contract theory relates to the concept of political legitimacy and the duty of citizens to the state.
  • The social contract theory is closely tied to the idea of political legitimacy, as it provides a justification for the authority of the state and the obligations of citizens to obey the law. By arguing that individuals have consented, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some of their freedoms in exchange for the benefits of organized society, the theory suggests that the state's power is legitimate and that citizens have a moral duty to comply with its rules and institutions. This connects to the concept of political legitimacy, which concerns the justification of the state's authority and the extent to which citizens are obligated to follow the law and support the political system.
• Evaluate how the social contract theory reflects the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, individualism, and the social contract as the basis for political authority.
  • The social contract theory is a quintessential Enlightenment concept that reflects the era's emphasis on reason, individualism, and the social contract as the foundation for political authority. By positing that individuals in the state of nature rationally agree to form a society and submit to a sovereign power, the theory aligns with the Enlightenment's belief in the power of human reason to determine the legitimate basis of political order. Additionally, the theory's focus on the individual's natural rights and the voluntary consent to the social contract echoes the Enlightenment's celebration of individual autonomy and the social contract as the source of political legitimacy, in contrast with traditional claims of divine right or hereditary succession. In this way, the social contract theory embodies the Enlightenment's commitment to using reason to understand and reshape the political and social order.

Related terms

Natural Rights:

The fundamental rights that all individuals are entitled to, such as life, liberty, and property, which exist in the state of nature prior to the formation of society.

State of Nature:

The hypothetical condition of human beings before the establishment of organized society, characterized by the absence of political authority and social order.

Consent: The voluntary agreement to the terms of the social contract, either explicitly through political participation or implicitly through obedience to the government.