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

Dimock, Susan, Two Virtues of Contractarianism (September 1, 2003). Journal of Value Inquiry 37.3 (2003), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2180068

Susan Dimock (Contact Author)

York University, Students ( email )

Ontario
Canada

HOME PAGE: http://www.yorku.ca/dimock

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