Theories of the social contract differed according to their purpose: some were designed to justify the power of the sovereign, while others were intended to safeguard the individual from oppression by a sovereign who was all too powerful. Similarly, John Locke rejects Hobbess version of the state of nature. These comparisons influenced the public values of society hence leading to feelings of shame, jealousy and pride. The main expression of the Social Contract Theory is to explore whether there is a legitimate political authority, "Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains no." In order to overcome the issues involved in the state of nature, people entered into agreements to protect themselves and their properties. Book. Some examples of these theories include Utilitarianism, Cultural Relativism, Social Contract Theory, and Kantianism. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1689) proposed that a society without rules and laws to govern our actions would be a dreadful place to live. Rousseau was a very accomplished writer and had he published several works of art in his lifetime. For Hobbes, Locke or Rousseau, the idea of the social contract was to make sure a government could be agreed upon by all citizens to avoid all types of civil wars or tyrannies. Essentially what Hobbes is saying by all of this is that human beings are not fit to govern themselves. In primeval times, according to the theory, individuals were born into an anarchic state of nature, which was happy or unhappy according to the particular version of the theory. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. The first part of the essay provides the opposing argument that the social compact is dictated by the state. Even though Socrates claims to be innocent of the charges brought against him, he is ultimately sentenced to death. 15 November 2016. Because liberty is given to members of society by nature, it is an inalienable right because it guarantees them the means through which they can be able to achieve their desires. People typically don't adopt worldviews that make the most logical sense, but we are influenced to adopt behaviour that earns the least amount of criticism in our unique environment. 15 11 2016. Over the centuries there have been many philosophers who have sought to explain how political systems are formed, how they work and which one is the best form of rule. If you require such advice, we recommend consulting a licensed financial or tax advisor. Philosophers dissected on the notion that existing social and political order would not withstand critical observation and examination which were put into a world with mysteries, myths, and various phenomenons. The people can choose to give or withdraw the power. https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-contract, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Contemporary Approaches to the Social Contract, Noida International University - Social Contract Theory, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Social Contract Theory. Because the power of Leviathan (the political state) is uncontested, however, its collapse is very unlikely and occurs only when it is no longer able to protect its subjects. Social contract theory works as one approach to legitimate liberty in society.