Single Idea 3909

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract]

Full Idea

For Hegel, society cannot be founded on a contract, since contracts have no reality until society is in place.

Gist of Idea

Society isn’t founded on a contract, since contracts presuppose a society

Source

report of Georg W.F.Hegel (works [1812]) by Roger Scruton - Modern Philosophy:introduction and survey 28.2

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'Modern Philosophy: introduction and survey' [Sinclair-Stevenson 1994], p.417


A Reaction

Interesting, and reminiscent of the private language argument, but contracts surely start as deals between individuals (on a desert island?).