Essay about The Criticism of Social Contract Theories

Tatum Schneidmiller Justice Theory Assignment #1 Ward Churchills criticism of social contract theory clearly applies to classic social contract theories that we discussed. However, Rawls adds the veil of ignorance concept to his more modern social contract theory. A) Explain the basics of Rawls and Churchills arguments and how they each criticize classic social contract theories. B) Discuss whether or not Churchills argument applies to Rawls modification and explain how and why it does and/or does not apply to Rawls theory. C) What remedies might you deduce from Rawls theory that would address the injustices toward American Indians? John Rawls, of the most important political philosopher, is primarily known for his theory†¦show more content†¦No one knows how much of their liberty they are giving up in comparison to what other people are giving up in a different area. Rawls says to â€Å"select the organizing principles of society as if they did not know what position they would be in within that society† in terms of â€Å"class position, generation, goals, life plan† (Jurik 2014). Rawls theory of a just society is made up of two principles: equal liberty and the difference principle. Equal liberty is where every person has an equal right to a fully adequate scheme of equal basic rights and liberties (Rawls, 1993, pp. 51). The difference principle is where any inequalities of economic or social nature must be related to positions that are equally available to all, and any inequalities must benefit the least advantaged person (Jurik, 2014). When it comes to criticizing classic social contract theories, Rawl criticizes Bentham’s theory of utilitarianism. It argues for the greatest good for the greatest number of people supposedly but Rawls felt differently. He believed that utilitarianism didn’t account for the differences in people. Rawls countered by proposing liberalism as a political doctrine. It would â€Å"assume that it is a characteristic feature of a free democratic culture that a plurality of conflicting and incommensurable conceptions of the good are affirmed by its citizens† (Rawls, 1999, pg.65). Winston Churchill was known for his criticisms that were centeredShow MoreRelatedâ€Å"Modernity Was an Abstract Belief System, Rooted in the Enlightenment. Which Drove Our Traditional Society Towards Technological Development, Industrialisation and Radical Social Change†? Assess the Impact of Modernity675 Words   |  3 Pagesand people be given the freedom to use their own intellect. Hobbesian social control theory was a ideological invention that came about during the pre 1750s. The social control theory is a view that a person’s moral and political obligations are dependent upon a ‘contract’ or an agreement among that to form a society in which they live in. However, social contract theory is rightly associated with modern moral and political theory and is given its first full exposition and defence by Thomas HobbesRead MoreKohlbergs Theory of Moral Development1236 Words   |  5 PagesKohlbergs theory of moral development proposes a series of three levels, divided into two stages each, that characterize the moral reasoning of human beings. Kohlbergs theory represented an important contribution to the psychological study of moral reasoning and its effect on behavior, but it contains a number of flaws and problematic assumptions. In particular, Carol Gilligan argues that Kohlbergs theory contains an inherently masculine bias, and that its vi ew of justice as a universal ethicalRead More Pateman On Locke Essays1259 Words   |  6 Pages For years social contract theorists had monopolized the explanation of modern society. John Locke was among those who advocated this theory of a collectively chosen set of circumstances. 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