Navigation
Examining the origins of moral and political obligations through the theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rawls.
Imagine you are stranded on a deserted island with 50 strangers. There are no laws, no police, and no property rights. How do you prevent chaos and ensure everyone's survival?
Before governments existed, philosophers imagined a State of Nature—a hypothetical condition where humans live without any political authority. Thomas Hobbes viewed this as a 'war of all against all,' where life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' In his view, humans are driven by self-interest and fear. John Locke, however, argued that even in nature, humans have Natural Rights: Life, Liberty, and Property. The problem? Without a central authority, these rights are constantly under threat. To solve this, we enter a Social Contract, an implicit agreement to follow rules in exchange for protection. We trade a portion of our absolute freedom for the benefit of Collective Security.
Quick Check
According to Hobbes, why do humans choose to enter into a social contract?
Answer
To escape the 'State of Nature,' which is a state of constant war and fear, in order to gain security and order.
1. Imagine a classroom where students can talk whenever they want (Absolute Freedom). 2. The result is that no one can hear the teacher or learn (Chaos). 3. The students agree to a 'contract': they will stay quiet while others speak (Sacrificed Freedom). 4. In return, everyone gains the ability to learn and be heard (Collective Benefit).
How do we know if a social contract is actually fair? John Rawls proposed a thought experiment called the Veil of Ignorance. Imagine you are tasked with designing the rules of a new society, but you have no idea who you will be in it. You don't know your race, gender, wealth, or health status. Rawls argues that from behind this veil, you would naturally choose the Difference Principle: a rule stating that social and economic inequalities are only permitted if they benefit the least-advantaged members of society. This ensures a 'safety net' because, for all you know, you might be the person at the bottom.
1. You must decide if a country should have universal healthcare or 'pay-to-play' healthcare. 2. You are behind the Veil of Ignorance; you don't know if you are a billionaire or a person with a chronic illness. 3. Logic dictates you would choose universal healthcare. While it might cost you more if you are rich, it prevents you from dying in poverty if you are sick.
Quick Check
What is the primary goal of using the 'Veil of Ignorance'?
Answer
To eliminate personal bias and ensure that the rules of society are fair for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
The Social Contract creates a system of Reciprocity. If you have a right to not be harmed, you have a corresponding responsibility not to harm others. Philosophers often express this balance using the logic of . If the state fails to protect your natural rights (as Locke argued), the contract is broken, and citizens have a right to revolt. However, if the state provides security, you are 'obligated' to follow its laws. This tension defines modern democracy: how much individual liberty are we willing to give up to ensure the well-being of the group?
Consider a progressive tax system where the wealthy pay a higher percentage: 1. Individual Right: The right to keep the property/money you earned. 2. Collective Responsibility: The need to fund roads, schools, and emergency services. 3. The Rawlsian Test: Behind the Veil, would you prefer a society with tax but no public roads, or a society where the top pays to ensure everyone can travel and learn? The challenge is finding the 'equilibrium' point where the incentive to work remains, but the 'least advantaged' are supported.
Which philosopher described the state of nature as 'nasty, brutish, and short'?
In Rawls' 'Veil of Ignorance,' what information is hidden from you?
John Locke believed that if a government fails to protect natural rights, the social contract is broken and citizens can revolt.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to explain the 'Veil of Ignorance' to a friend or family member without looking at your notes.
Practice Activity
Identify one current law (e.g., speed limits or environmental regulations) and explain what freedom is being given up and what collective benefit is being gained.