more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
A particular weakness of the contractual theory is that it is unstable with respect to a superior agent, one more intelligent and resourceful and persuasive than the rest.
Clarification
'Contractual' theories see morality as mutual back-scratching
Gist of Idea
A weakness of contractual theories is the position of a person of superior ability and power
Source
Bernard Williams (Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy [1985], Ch. 3)
Book Ref
Williams,Bernard: 'Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy' [Fontana 1985], p.31
A Reaction
The very weak are equally a problem. Democratic societies produce fewer inequalities. Hierarchical societies are miserable (I expect..).
| 15 | Sin first, then sacrifice to the gods from the proceeds [Plato] |
| 2377 | No one who admitted to not keeping contracts could ever be accepted as a citizen [Hobbes] |
| 2379 | If there is a good reason for breaking a contract, the same reason should have stopped the making of it [Hobbes] |
| 22499 | We all know that just pretending to be someone's friend is not the good life [Foot] |
| 4116 | A weakness of contractual theories is the position of a person of superior ability and power [Williams,B] |
| 3896 | Any social theory of morality has the problem of the 'free rider', who only pretends to join in [Scruton] |