PHI 2183 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Natural And Legal Rights
5 Apr 2016
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From state of nature to (absolute) government by contract. Initially right of nature = unlimited self-interest; irrational, continual war, hostility, fear of death etc. But then: laws of nature = limited self-interest, rational/enlightened. If others do: only sensible if enforced by government power, thus created. Self interest long term vs short term. Two prisoners would get along better if neither would admit to a crime. But if one of them talked, they would get a better deal. Even if they know that they"d get along better by not talking, self-interest would win and one of them would eventually talk to get a better deal. Suppose a crime is committed (armed bank robbery) The police catch two people that are suspected working together. Police don"t enough evidence to convict completely them without a confession. Police question the suspects separately to get a confession (where one of them flips on the other)
