The social contract theory revolves around the idea of an implicit
contract people agree to so they can join a society which is to be ruled by a
particular government. Why is such a contract needed? Since people with
differing religions, races and cultures live together as one in a society there
has to be an agreement on how to treat each other. Basic rules and practices need
to be laid down so there aren't any grey areas.
But can’t we live and let live? What would life be like without
the social contract theory?
Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher, had an answer to this
question – he believed there would be chaos. There are a lot of arguments that
back up Hobbes answer; without such a contract people would fight over scarce
resources and constantly manipulate each other. There would be a lot of
selfish and egotistical behavior in the society which would prove to be disastrous
for everyone. The absence of laws and rules would lead the world as we know it in
to unimaginable anarchy and chaos.
"All mankind being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions." - John Locke
1 comment:
But isn't the world today already anarchical? Don't people behave in selfish and egotistical ways that are disastrous for everyone? Is society more of jungle than say a theoretical state of nature?
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