The Social Contract
Instructions:
Several political philosophers envisioned the relationship between individual citizens as a social contract that governs how we choose to interact with each other. Taking this notion seriously, what components would you include in our agreement to form a civil society?
What essential functions should government provide in the lives of its citizens? How should a society be organized to deliver these functions most effectively?
Although this issue of a social contract raises some fundamental questions about social and political principles, it also has significant practical applications. Look for ways in which implied agreements contribute to our daily interactions.
Additional Instructions:
Create a 1 page essay in APA format. Use 2 scholarly sources as references. (1 source will be given to you in this assignment). Be sure to use in-text citations.
Source given to use: Abel, D. C. (2010). Fifty readings plus: An introduction to philosophy (2nd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Solution Preview
Political Philosophy
According to John Locke’s definition of a civil society, a superior entity receives authority from the members of the society to serve as judge and give sentences to those that are viewed as having gone contrary to the laws that the members subscribe to when they enter into a social contract (Abel, 2010). Essentially, the social contract helps the people move from a state of nature, and into a civil society, where they give up some of their freedoms to the state, and obtain a greater level of security which guarantees economic and social prosperity.
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