Associative Obligation and the Social Contract

Area of Science:

• Political Philosophy
• Moral Philosophy
• Social Contract Theory

Background:

• John Horton proposes an associative theory of political obligation, linking it to polity membership and the provision of order and security.
• This theory emphasizes the role of ordinary moral consciousness in understanding political obligation.
• Horton's phenomenological approach aims to resolve long-standing issues in political theory.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Horton's associative theory of political obligation.
• To identify the limitations of a purely phenomenological approach to political obligation.
• To propose an alternative framework for understanding the grounds of political obligation.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of Horton's associative theory of political obligation.
• Examination of the phenomenological strategy in political theory.
• Application of social contract principles to political obligation.

Main Results:

• Horton's associative theory, while insightful, falters when individuals actively question the basis of their political obligations.
• A purely phenomenological approach does not adequately address the need for justification when political duties become burdensome.
• The concept of an implicit social contract provides a more robust foundation for political obligation.

Conclusions:

• Political obligation requires a justification beyond mere membership or ordinary moral consciousness.
• An implicit social contract, where individuals agree to terms beneficial to them, offers a compelling basis for political obligation.
• This social contract approach aligns with the method of reflective equilibrium, providing a reasoned basis for compliance with authoritative rules.