Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    The normativity objection against contractarianism overlo... — Carmelics
    Home/Social Contract
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    The normativity objection against contractarianism overlooks a significant feature of Gauthier's theory

    Social Contract
    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    2 reasons for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Gauthier's constrained maximization requires agents to dispositionally internalize cooperative norms, not merely simulate compliance when monitored.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.A disposition that genuinely alters motivational structure constitutes normative constraint, not mere strategic calculation per Gauthier's 'Morals by Agreement' ch.6.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.The normativity objection conflates the genetic origin of a norm in self-interest with its subsequent action-guiding authority over the agent.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The Lockean Proviso in Gauthier's system prohibits bettering oneself through worsening others' positions, establishing an other-regarding baseline constraint.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Rawls' difference principle similarly derives other-regarding obligations from a self-interested original position, yet is not dismissed as lacking normativity.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Consistency demands that if Rawlsian contractarianism generates genuine normativity from self-interested premises, Gauthier's structurally parallel derivation must also do so.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.The normativity objection claims contractarianism builds in no concern for others
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Appeal to others' concerns is built into both the Lockean Proviso and the bargaining theory from which moral norms are derived
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.A theory that incorporates concern for others in its foundational structure is not purely self-interested
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Topics

    Social Contract

    Connections

    1 topic

    Virtue Ethics1 linked

    Related

    A disposition that genuinely alters motivational structure constitutes normative...A theory that incorporates concern for others in its foundational structure is n...Appeal to others' concerns is built into both the Lockean Proviso and the bargai...Consistency demands that if Rawlsian contractarianism generates genuine normativ...
    +5 moreShow less
    Gauthier's constrained maximization requires agents to dispositionally internali...Rawls' difference principle similarly derives other-regarding obligations from a...The Lockean Proviso in Gauthier's system prohibits bettering oneself through wor...The normativity objection claims contractarianism builds in no concern for other...The normativity objection conflates the genetic origin of a norm in self-interes...

    Similar

    The normativity objection claims contractarianism builds in no concern...87%Contractualists can maintain that contractualism is distinctive at bot...80%Social contract theories presuppose a source of moral norms prior to t...78%The original formulation of contractualism retains individualist and i...77%

    Source

    AI-extracted1/3 agreementValid
    SEP: contractarianism
    View source passageHide passage
    Two further critiques can be raised against contractarianism (Southwood 2010). According to the normativity objection, contractarian morality is not sufficiently other-regarding because it motivates morality by appeal to one’s self-interest rather than any concern of others. Because of this, the theory gives one no reason to feel guilt or remorse for wrongdoing, but rather, at most, self-directed anger or disappointment at acting irrationally. Southwood’s objection can be seen as one way of fill
    Extraction notes

    Validity: Extracted via Max plan + API grounding/validity checks

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    3 (2 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit