Deck 14: The Social Contract Tradition: Problems and Prospects

Question 1

Write an essay on the relation between self-interest and morality in contractarianism. What role does self-interest play in determining which moral standards are correct, according to the theory? Do contractarians think that it is always in our self-interest to behave morally? Why or why not?

Answer 1

No Answer.

Question 2

Have we all consented to abide by a social contract? If so, how? If not, is this a problem for contractarianism? Defend your answer.

Answer 2

No Answer.

Question 3

The decisions of hypothetical contractors play an important role in contractarianism. Suppose that such contractors failed to agree about some moral question. How serious of a problem would this be for contractarianism? Describe Rawls's idea of the veil of ignorance, and explain how it might be able to solve this problem. Do you think it succeeds? Why or why not?

Answer 3

No Answer.

Question 4

Can contractarianism account for the moral status of human infants and non-human animals? Explain why some people think this is a problem for contractarianism. Do you think this is a serious problem? How might a contractarian defend the theory?

Question 5

Describe Hobbes's character of "the Fool." How does the Fool raise a problem for contractarianism? What is Hobbes's solution to this problem? Do you find it convincing?

Question 6

Develop what you take to be the most serious objection to contractarianism (it can be one discussed in the book or one you thought of on your own). How should a contractarian reply to your objection? Do you find the contractarian's reply satisfying? Why or why not?

Question 7

According to Hobbes, what is the fundamental reason for acting?

A) Self-interest
B) Altruism
C) Virtue
D) None of the above

Question 8

In Hobbes's philosophy, "the Fool" is someone who

A) believes that it is sometimes rational to behave unjustly.
B) believes that it is always rational to behave morally.
C) acts altruistically and neglects his own self-interest.
D) doesn't believe that anything is just or unjust.

Question 9

Situations in which one person can benefit from a common good without contributing anything are sometimes referred to as

A) the prisoner's dilemma.
B) the free-rider problem.
C) the paradox of hedonism.
D) the contractarian problematic.

Question 10

For Hobbes, a well-ordered society is one in which

A) there is no government.
B) no one ever breaks one's agreements.
C) all of the laws are easy to understand.
D) there are reliable threats against breaking mutually beneficial rules.

Question 11

Hobbes argued that

A) the risks of doing wrong always outweigh its potential benefits.
B) it is sometimes rational to behave immorally.
C) the Fool was actually correct.
D) we have not actually entered into a social contract to obey the government.

Question 12

Some contractarians believe that we all have a duty to obey the law because

A) doing so maximizes overall utility.
B) we have tacitly consented to do so.
C) we have explicitly consented to do so.
D) doing so is commanded by God.

Question 13

According to the consent argument,

A) we have a duty to obey the law only if we have consented to do so.
B) many people do not have a duty to obey the law.
C) many people have not given their consent to obey the law.
D) All of the above

Question 14

According to contractarians, our fundamental moral duties are determined by

A) what we have actually consented to.
B) what we have tacitly consented to.
C) what we would agree to if we were free, rational, and seeking mutual cooperation.
D) the principle of universalizability.

Question 15

According to contractarianism, we are morally required to

A) do whatever a majority of our society thinks is right.
B) do whatever existing laws and customs dictate.
C) do whatever the leadership of our society thinks is right.
D) None of the above

Question 16

According to contractarians, the contractors who fix the content of morality are

A) benevolent and generous.
B) jealous and vindictive.
C) perfectly altruistic.
D) rational and self-interested.

Question 17

All contractarians agree that the contractors who fix the content of morality are

A) clones of one another.
B) us, situated as we are.
C) the leaders of a society.
D) None of the above

Question 18

To be self-interested is to

A) be selfish.
B) have a strong concern for how well you are faring in life.
C) be unconcerned with the well-being of others.
D) All of the above

Question 19

If contractarianism is true, then the moral community includes

A) ecosystems.
B) non-human animals.
C) Both of the above
D) None of the above

Question 20

Which of the following is not an advantage of contractarianism?

A) It explains why it is usually rational to behave morally.
B) It explains why we have moral obligations to all fellow persons.
C) It explains why we are often bound to obey the law.
D) It explains why we may sometimes break the law.

Question 21

Which of the following best characterizes the attitude of Hobbes's character "the Fool"?

A) He does not believe that breaking promises is unjust.
B) He believes that breaking promises is unjust but doesn't care.
C) He always keeps promises, whether it is in his interest or not.
D) He believes it is always irrational to break promises.

Question 22

Which of the following best describes the free-rider problem?

A) Everyone would be better off if everyone refrained from pursuing self-interest.
B) People can sometimes enjoy common goods without contributing to them.
C) A person who receives welfare from the government thereby loses the incentive to work.
D) Industrious people always attract others who try to capitalize on their success.

Question 23

What is the ultimate point of morality, according to contractarians?

A) To maximize the well-being of all sentient beings
B) To ensure that we behave in ways that are consistent and universalizable
C) To promote self-interest through mutually beneficial agreements
D) To obey God's commands

Question 24

What is the term for the idea that we have agreed to obey the law simply by living where we do?

A) Explicit consent
B) Tacit consent
C) Lex talionis
D) Birthright citizenship

Question 25

What is the conclusion of the consent argument?

A) It is always irrational to break the law.
B) It is sometimes rational to break the law.
C) Everyone has a duty to obey the law.
D) Many people do not have a duty to obey the law.

Question 26

According to contractarianism, what fixes our basic moral duties?

A) Our actual agreements
B) Our tacit agreements
C) The agreements we would make if we were free, rational, and seeking cooperation
D) The principle of utility

Question 27

Which of the following are members of the moral community, according to contractarianism?

A) All contractors
B) Non-human animals
C) The severely mentally retarded
D) All of the above