In The Spirit Of Our Discussion About The Social Contract
In the spirit of our discussion about the social contract and our read
In the spirit of our discussion about the social contract and our readings from Chapter 20 please review this video: What Would You Do? Links to an external site. What's going on in the video in relation to 'the social contract'? Are we - generally speaking - upholding the social contract? Do we actually owe one another any specific behavior in line with this so-called contract? What do you think? Why? Please be sure to submit here. Write at least 250 words (with focus on grammar and any citations as needed).
Paper For Above instruction
The concept of the social contract is foundational in political philosophy, underpinning the relationship between individuals and the state, and guiding expectations of behavior within societies. The video “What Would You Do?” presents scenarios where individuals face moral and social dilemmas, serving as a prism through which we can examine the principles of the social contract in action.
In these scenarios, participants are often asked to act in a way that aligns with societal norms, moral expectations, or legal frameworks, akin to the obligations outlined in the social contract. For example, when a person witnesses an unfair act yet chooses to remain passive, it reflects a tension between individual self-interest and the social responsibility that the social contract presumes citizens owe to one another. Conversely, when individuals intervene or uphold ethical standards, they exemplify the societal expectation to uphold mutual respect and cooperation underlying the social contract.
Generally, society operates on the assumption that individuals will uphold the social contract, which entails abiding by laws, respecting others' rights, and contributing to societal well-being. However, the video illustrates that these expectations are often tested, and individuals' responses reveal the extent to which we uphold or challenge the social contract. When individuals ignore their moral duties or act selfishly, it indicates a deviation from the ideals of mutual obligation and cooperation that the social contract embodies.
From a philosophical perspective, we do owe one another certain behaviors—respecting rights, avoiding harm, and contributing to the common good—as part of the implicit agreement that sustains societal order (Hobbes, 1651; Locke, 1689; Rousseau, 1762). These obligations are not only reinforced by laws but also by moral and social norms that bind us collectively. While the social contract is often viewed as an unspoken agreement, its effectiveness depends on individuals’ commitment to uphold these shared responsibilities.
In conclusion, the video demonstrates that while society relies on a collective adherence to the social contract, individual actions can either strengthen or weaken this social fabric. Upholding the social contract requires conscious effort and moral integrity, emphasizing that society’s well-being is a shared responsibility. The moral questions raised in the scenarios remind us that the social contract is not merely theoretical but requires active participation and commitment from all members.
References
Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan.
Locke, J. (1689). Two Treatises of Government.
Rousseau, J.-J. (1762). The Social Contract.
Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
Singer, P. (2011). The Most Good You Can Do: How Effective Altruism Is Changing Ideas About Living Ethically. Yale University Press.
Nozick, R. (1974). Anarchy, State, and Utopia. Basic Books.
Cohen, G. A. (2004). Rescuing Justice and Equality. Harvard University Press.
Durkheim, É. (1897). Suicide.
Scanlon, T. M. (1998). What We Owe to Each Other. Harvard University Press.
Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.