How Does Contractarianism Illuminate The Objectivity Of Morality On Quizlet?

Contractarianism offers an insightful perspective on the objectivity of morality by asserting that moral principles gain their normative authority through the concept of a hypothetical social contract or mutual consensus among individuals. In this philosophical framework, proponents of contractarianism express doubt regarding the feasibility of establishing moral or political legitimacy based on divine will or an idealized conception of human nature. Contractarianism emphasizes the importance of individuals coming together, hypothetically, to agree on a set of moral rules that promote social cooperation and well-being, thereby grounding the objectivity of morality in a social framework rather than relying on supernatural or idealistic foundations. This perspective invites us to consider morality as a product of rational deliberation and mutual agreement among individuals, fostering a deeper understanding of its objectivity. [Note: I have removed the date (18th June, 2000) as it doesn’t seem relevant to the topic.]

How does a contractarian support the idea of objective ethics? A contractarian argues that the foundation of morality is not rooted in divine authority or arbitrary human preferences. Instead, they posit that ethics is established through a hypothetical social contract among individuals who are both free and equal, guided by rationality. According to this perspective, objective ethics emerges from a set of principles that individuals would universally agree upon, as these principles aim to maximize the overall well-being and fairness for everyone involved. This contractual approach thus provides a framework for understanding how ethical standards can be objective and impartial.