Homework 2: Contractarianism, due BEFORE CLASS on Monday 10/7

Read the whole assigned section on contractarianism (pp. 64-71), then answer the following question clearly and thoughtfully in no more than 200 words. Upload your answer under “Assignments” on Brightspace

On page 68, Suikkanen explains the freeloader problem: although it is best for everyone if we have moral rules, it is still best for individuals if everyone else obeys moral rules while they personally disobey them and act as “freeloaders”. But if that is true, then everyone will reason in the same way and no one will get any of the benefits from the social contract at all. So we need some way of assuring compliance with the social contract. What, according to Suikkanen, is Gauthier’s solution to the freeloader problem? Do you think that his solution successfully answers the problem? Why or why not?

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