Series: Wiley Blackwell Readings in Philosophy

Contractarianism / Contractualism explores a major approach to normative ethical theory that emphasises reciprocity and mutual consent. 'Contractarianism' refers to the concept, first introduced by Thomas Hobbes, in which morality is viewed as a set of social practices adopted by self-interested rational actors in their common interest, akin to a contract. 'Contractualism', meanwhile, is a related but distinct idea, originating...