Contractarianism: Crash Course Philosophy #37

Summary

This script explores the concept of contractarianism through the lens of Thomas Hobbes' 'state of nature,' where life is depicted as 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' It posits that morality arises from rational individuals' self-interest in cooperation, leading to the formation of contracts for mutual benefit. The script also delves into the Prisoner's Dilemma, highlighting the complexities of trust and cooperation in society, and how contractarianism shapes our moral obligations and the legitimacy of societal systems.

Takeaways

• 🌳 Hobbes' 'state of nature' is a hypothetical scenario where there are no rules, and life is described as 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short'.
• 🛡️ In a world without rules, there is an abundance of freedom but a lack of security, leading to a constant state of fear and potential for domination by the strongest.
• 🤝 Rational individuals would opt for a civil society that offers security over absolute freedom, trading some freedoms for the benefits of cooperation and order.
• 📜 Morality, according to Hobbes, is not inherent but emerges from agreements made by free, self-interested, rational individuals for mutual benefit.
• 🥑🥭 An example of a simple contract is trading avocados for mangoes, which increases security and variety in life, illustrating the concept of contractarianism.
• 🔄 Contractarianism suggests that moral acts are those that adhere to the agreements made by individuals, and these agreements are made to improve life quality.
• 🏢 Implicit contracts, like obeying laws without explicit agreement, are part of societal participation, with the understanding that benefits received imply obligations.
• 🚦 The Prisoner's Dilemma illustrates the complexities of cooperation and self-interest, showing that rational individuals might not cooperate even when it is beneficial.
• 🤔 Trust is crucial for cooperation; without it, individuals may choose to defect from agreements, prioritizing personal gain over collective benefit.
• 👥 Defection is less common among known associates due to social consequences, highlighting the importance of relationships in maintaining contracts.
• 📐 For a contract to be valid in contractarianism, individuals must be free and better off within the system created by the contract than outside of it, excluding systems like slavery.
• 🔄 Contractarianism allows for moral flexibility, as morality is determined by agreements that can evolve and change over time.

Q & A

What is the 'state of nature' as described by Thomas Hobbes?

The 'state of nature' is a hypothetical condition without any governing rules or laws, where life is described as 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' Hobbes believed it would be a state of constant fear and conflict due to the lack of security and order.

Why did Hobbes think that a world without rules would be chaotic?

Hobbes believed that without rules, everyone would be constantly on guard and the strongest or most aggressive would dominate through fear. Even the strongest could be overthrown by collectives of weaker individuals, leading to a perpetual state of conflict.

What does Hobbes propose as the solution to avoid the chaos of the 'state of nature'?

Hobbes proposed that rational people would opt to trade some of their natural freedoms for the security offered by a civil society, achieved through a social contract.

How does Hobbes view the origin of morality?

Hobbes did not believe morality was an inherent or natural concept. Instead, he proposed that morality emerges from agreements made by free, self-interested, rational individuals who find more benefits in cooperation than in conflict.

What is the concept of 'contractarianism' as discussed in the script?

Contractarianism is the view that morality is based on contracts or agreements made by individuals. Right acts are those that do not violate these voluntary agreements, which are made with the belief that they will improve the quality of life.

Can you explain the 'Prisoner's Dilemma' and its relevance to contractarianism?

The 'Prisoner's Dilemma' is a scenario where two individuals have the option to betray each other for personal gain or cooperate for mutual benefit. It highlights the challenges of cooperation and trust in contractarianism, showing that even though cooperation is beneficial, individuals might still choose to defect for personal advantage.

What are 'implicit contracts' and how do they relate to the concept of being a citizen?

Implicit contracts are agreements that individuals are expected to follow without having explicitly agreed to them. For example, natural-born citizens are expected to follow the laws of their country without having explicitly agreed to them, unlike immigrants who become citizens through an explicit contract.

How does the script explain the social cost of violating contracts among people who know each other?

The script suggests that there is a strong social disapproval for those who violate agreements, especially among known individuals. This social cost acts as a deterrent for breaking contracts and is crucial for maintaining trust in society.

What are the conditions for a contract to be valid according to contractarianism?

For a contract to be valid, the contractors must be free and not forced into the agreement. Additionally, they must be better off within the system created by the contract than they would be outside of it.

How does contractarianism view the flexibility and change in morality?

Contractarianism allows for the flexibility and change in morality as it is determined by the agreements of the individuals within a society. If the group consensus changes, the contracts and hence the morality can be modified.

What is the implication of the statement 'morality can change' in the context of contractarianism?

The statement implies that morality is not fixed or absolute in contractarianism. It is subject to change based on the evolving agreements and understandings of the individuals within a society, reflecting a dynamic and adaptable moral framework.