Preliminary Assignment

On a piece of a short bond paper or a yellow paper, draw a picture of what you think a perfect, or at least a
peaceful and happy, society or community would look like. Label or list all the elements or characters that are
found in your drawing and explain shortly as to why you think those elements are essential to a peaceful society.
20 points.

Essay. Answer the following questions concisely but not in less than two sentences.

1. Why is Social Contract Theory a moral philosophy?

 According to the social contract hypothesis, people cooperate to uphold a set of political and
moral norms while they reside in a society. Some individuals think that if we follow a social
compact, we can behave morally out of our own free will rather than because a higher power
command us to. The idea that people's moral and/or political obligations depend on an
agreement or contract among them to create the society in which they live is known as the
social contract hypothesis, which is almost as old as philosophy itself. The majority of social
contract theories begin with an analysis of the human condition in the absence of any kind of
governmental structure. In this situation, people are only constrained by their own personal
strength and conscience in how they act. Social contract theorists try to show why logical people
would voluntarily choose to give up their natural freedom in order to profit from political order.
This is their common starting point.

2. Discuss the following’s formulation of the social contract theory:

a. Hobbes

 Hobbes believed that the sovereign's power was absolute, meaning that nothing could override
the sovereign's will, which is what constitutes law. However, this does not imply that the
sovereign's power is absolute; in situations where the sovereign declines to speak, or where the
legislation does not explicitly address the activity in question, subjects are still free to do as they
want. The social contract enables people to exit nature and enter civil society, yet nature still
presents a threat and will reappear as soon as political authority is lost. However, because the
political state's power is unquestionable, its dissolution is extremely improbable and only
happens when it is unable to defend its citizens.
b. Locke

 One of political liberalism's core tenets, according to Locke, is that there cannot be submission
to authority without consent, however once a political society has been established, its
members are required to accept the judgments of the majority of its members. The legislature
makes these choices on behalf of the majority, even though the people ultimately have the right
to choose the legislature. Even the legislature's powers are limited by the fact that the law of
nature continues to serve as a constant guideline and a safeguard against unjust authority.

c. Rousseau

 For two reasons, according to Rousseau's Discourse description of civil society, it was created: to
protect everyone's right to peace and their ability to own property. Thus, everyone benefited to
some extent from it, but the wealthy benefited the most as it allowed them to maintain their
legitimate ownership while keeping the poor dispossessed. Because the poor received
significantly less benefit from it than the wealthy, it was in fact a social contract that was partly
false. However, Rousseau also thought that a real social compact might exist, one in which
individuals would obtain a greater form of freedom—true political, or republican—in return for
their independence.
2. Give a situation in our present events that illustrates the necessity or relevance of the Social Contract
Theory in the society.
 A social contract that outlines what behavior is appropriate and inappropriate is the only
method for a team to resolve all of these issues. A social contract can state that it is appropriate
to declare your viewpoint while making sure that others have a chance to speak up and that
their voices are heard. Imagine you are a member of a team where "no one" pays attention to
you. You feel as though you don't have a voice since the "big personalities" drown out your
thoughts. You are willing to wait your turn even though you have something to say and don't
believe in interrupting. The meeting goes beyond schedule, you are still waiting for your turn,
and people are waiting outside the conference room since someone else has reserved it after
you. Why does your opinion never get enough time? And why do the extroverts who joined the
gathering late get to speak and dominate the conversation? Ironically, you could have had a
chance to speak if they had arrived on time. Even if the previous situation does not apply to you,
you can probably relate to the person. Despite this, you might think, "Why don't they just speak
up instead of leaving it up to me to do it all?" I'm tired of talking and thinking all the time!’.