The Limits of Hobbesian Contractarianism

by Jody S. Kraus

Overview

This book is the most comprehensive, rigorous critique of contemporary Hobbesian contractarianism as expounded in the work of Jean Hampton, Gregory Kavka, and David Gauthier. Professor Kraus argues that the attempts by these three philosophers to use Hobbes to answer current political and moral questions fail. The reasons why they fail are related to fundamental problems intrinsic to Hobbesian contractarianism: first, the problem of collective action arising out of the tension in Hobbes' theory between individual and collective rationality; second, the classical problem of explaining the normative force of hypothetical action, a problem that can be traced to the conflicting strategies of hypothetical justification found in Rawls' and Hobbes' theories. Given the deep interest in Hobbesian contractarianism among philosophers, political theorists, game theorists in economics and political science, and legal theorists, this book is likely to attract wide attention and infuse new life into the contractarian debate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521449724
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/01/1993
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.79(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments; Selected bibliography; 1. Introduction; 2. Hampton's justificatory strategy; 3. Hampton's internal solution: a dilemma; 4. Kavka's hybrid contractarianism; 5. Gauthier's moral contractarianism; 6. The limits of Hobbesian contractarianism; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"An extremely careful, well-informed, and philosophically incisive discussion of recent work on social contract theory in the Hobbesian tradition." Stephen Darwall, University of Michigan

"Kraus presents the most thorough analysis and critique of contractarian methodology I have seen. His book is likely to become the standard reference on modern contractarian theories in the Hobbesian tradition." Gregory Kavka, University of California, Irvine

"This is a state-of-the-art work on Hobbesian contractarian theory....Kraus lays out very clearly and effectively the limits of Hobbesian approaches to morality and political philosophy....This book is extremely well written and argued. The richness and depth of the insights make it required reading for anyone with interests in contactarian (Hobbesian or Kantian) theory." Peter Vallentyne, Ethics

From the Publisher