Two Virtues of Contractarianism
Journal of Value Inquiry 37.3 (2003)
Posted: 23 Nov 2012 Last revised: 10 Jan 2013
Date Written: September 1, 2003
Abstract
I argue that rational choice contractarianism (of the type D. Gauthier defends) is a moral theory that has at least two very attractive characteristics. It is a naturalist theory that is able to account for the internalist feature of moral facts. It has the further virtue of doing so while entailing a cognitivist theory of moral propositions. If the account of the internalist and naturalist features of contractarianism can be plausibly rendered, such a theory will stand as a counterexample to G.E. Moore's claim that it is impossible to develop a naturalist ethic without committing the naturalistic fallacy.
Keywords: Contractarianism, Ethics, Naturalistic Fallacy, Rational Choice, G. E. Moore, Moral Internalism, Naturalism, Moral Cognitivisim
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation