Social contract theories : political obligation or anarchy?
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Social contract theories : political obligation or anarchy?
（Studies in social & political philosophy）
Rowman & Littlefield, c1990
- :
- : pbk
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Note
Bibliography: p. 171-174
Includes index
Description and Table of Contents
- Volume
-
: ISBN 9780847676248
Description
This book provides a clear exposition and succinct assessment of the outstanding representatives of the contractarian tradition-such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, and Rawls-and anti-contractarian arguments advanced by conservatives such as Hume and Hegel, and liberals such as T.H. Green.
- Volume
-
: pbk ISBN 9780847676255
Description
This book provides an exposition of the work of writers , such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant and Rawls who belong to the "contractarian" tradition. These philosophers are called contractarians because they use the concept of the social contract to develop their different political philosophies. This, however, is only a superficial similarity, since they use the concept of such a contract in different ways to different means and ends. Their similarities and differences are explained. The author also explains some difficulties he finds with various concepts, such as their concept of the state of nature, man, freedom, and the connection between the social contract and natural rights. The term "political obligation" is used to designate a species of artificial obligations (self-assumed obligations), and it is argued that most citizens do not have political obligations and that the legitimacy of the state and its institutions ultimately depends upon their moral qualities. Medina's final analysis is boiled down to the following argument: "...we ought to respect the law not because we have a political obligation to do so, but because there are important moral reasons for doing so".
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