Question

How does The Social Cpntract theory explain both the purpose of morality and the purpose of the state (or government)?

Answer 1

The Social Contract theory explains how the set of rules, principles and conditions by the morality and the government can make the social life possible of the rational people. This theory will only be successful if people start accepting and try to gain from it. Well if the people are looking to maintain peace and harmony in the society then they must abide by the rules and principles so that they can keep themselves away from violence, theft and other disturbances in the society.

However, some philosophers have argued against this theory. They considered this theory as an incomplete assumption of moral and political way of life. This concept is also somehow useless because now the people are reasonable. They can find their way out of such type of situations. Well if it's about being reasonable towards the rationality then man can construct their social contract which will allow them to live on their terms.

From the analysis of John Locke in the theory of social contract, he considered good will, peace and mututual assistance as the natural condition for makind. There does not have to be any government body or authority who will instruct them what to do and not to do. People can do anything on their own interest. So overall from this theory we can understand how the morality and the government in general has their role to play towards the society.