Running Head: Social Contract Theory 1
Social Contract Theory
Rachael Ical
Ms. Xunan Quetzal
PHIL1014
University of Belize
September 7th, 2017
Social Contract Theory 2
The Social Contract Theory has been one of the most dominant theories within in moral
and political theories throughout history. It can be defined as the view that a person’s moral and
political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society
in which they live (Rachels, 2006). Thomas Hobbes during the English Civil War, developed his
political theory. This theory consisted of Psychological Egoism and his social contract founded
on State of Nature. The state of nature is a place with: no laws, no government, no police, no
courts and everyone is looking out just for himself/herself; it is highly undesirable for everyone
(Rachels, 2006). Hobbes assumed that “good” and “bad” are solely based on what we like and
dislike and that humans are self-interested and want to live as well as possible so in the end we
are all very much alike. He believed that we are all better living in a mutually cooperative
society, so therefore this society can only can only exist if we adopt certain rules and behaviours
