Write an essay on the relation between self-interest and morality in contractarianism. What role does self-interest play in determining which moral standards are correct, according to the theory? Do contractarians think that it is always in our self-interest to behave morally? Why or why not?

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The Answer is Contractarianism is a moral and political theory that seeks to understand the relationship between self-interest and morality. According to contractarianism, individuals come together to form a social contract, agreeing to abide by certain moral standards in order to promote their own self-interest. This theory suggests that self-interest plays a significant role in determining which moral standards are correct, as individuals are motivated to act in ways that benefit themselves.

In contractarianism, self-interest is seen as a driving force behind moral behavior. The theory posits that individuals are rational and self-interested, and that they will only agree to moral standards that serve their own interests. This means that the moral standards that are ultimately agreed upon are those that are mutually beneficial to all parties involved. In this way, self-interest plays a crucial role in determining which moral standards are considered correct within the framework of contractarianism.

However, contractarians do not necessarily believe that it is always in our self-interest to behave morally. While self-interest is a key factor in determining moral standards, there may be situations where individuals are tempted to act in ways that are not in line with the agreed upon moral standards. In these cases, contractarians argue that individuals may still have a self-interested reason to act morally, as violating the social contract could lead to negative consequences for themselves in the long run. Therefore, while self-interest is important in contractarianism, it is not always the sole determinant of moral behavior.

In conclusion, contractarianism posits that self-interest plays a significant role in determining which moral standards are correct, as individuals are motivated to act in ways that benefit themselves. However, the theory also recognizes that there may be situations where self-interest conflicts with moral behavior, and individuals may still have a self-interested reason to act morally in order to uphold the social contract. Overall, contractarians do not believe that it is always in our self-interest to behave morally, but they do recognize the important role that self-interest plays in shaping moral standards within their framework.

Write an Essay on the Relation Between Self-Interest and Morality