PHIL 1010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Implied Consent, Social Contract
1 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Social contract people give up some of their natural freedoms in order to get assistance from the state. One motivating factor was the liberal conception of individuals as being free, but also equal with respect to strength (hobbes) or moral standing (locke) Explanatory device meant to explain how free and equal individuals come to organize themselves and legitimize the drafting and enforcement of laws. Issue of consent is integral to the social contract. Since we are born free, any limitation on our freedom is necessarily artificial. 2 ways people can consent to laws: tacit consent implied consent, if you partake in the benefits of the state you are consenting to the upkeep of the benefits. Accessing goods therefore consenting: hypothetical consent. Were you to ask the citizens for their consent people would say yes if they were being rational. Not talking about particular issues consenting to the entire.
