Arguments for a Critique of the Classical Theory of the Social Contract
Abstract
This article provides a critical analysis of the classical social contract theory, a cornerstone of Enlightenment political thought. The author examines the theoretical agreement between rulers and the ruled that legitimizes state authority, focusing on the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The paper investigates the transition from the "state of nature" to organized political society, highlighting how this framework often prioritizes social order and private property over individual freedom. Drawing on critiques from thinkers like Peter Kropotkin, Hannah Arendt, and Murray Bookchin, the author argues that the classical contract model serves to institutionalize social control and "rationalize" the loss of authentic political action. The study explores the tension between authoritarian and libertarian traditions, ultimately questioning the legitimacy of a contract that subordinates human reason to the necessity of self-preservation and state-led economic growth.
Article Details
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Kli, M. (2020). Arguments for a Critique of the Classical Theory of the Social Contract . Ηθική. Περιοδικό φιλοσοφίας, (4), 44–56. https://doi.org/10.12681/ethiki.22673
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- No. 4 (2007)
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- Articles
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