How can we be free and live together? What binds humans into a society?

In this episode of Hold That Thought hosts Becca and Taylor explore these central questions and other foundational principles of Social Contract Theory. They unpack how The Social Contract may or may not be the underpinning that dictates our implicit following of ever-day-rules. They take it back to the early Social Contract theorists and critiques of their philosophy, exploring what may be the innate human instinct to follow rules to protect stability and each other, while interrogating what happens when they don’t. 

This episode is part of the Hold That Thought mini-series— Working Together: Elements of Interpersonal Relationships.

Key Topics: Social Contract Theory, Rule Following, Philosophy, Psychology, Joint Commitment, Political Theory, Politics, Democracy, Pro-Social, Anti-Social, Behavioral Economics    

Resources:

The Social Contract Explained Simply

Psychopathic, Sociopathic, or Antisocial Personality?

The Social Contract Only Works If It Protects People

Evaluating social contract theory in the light of evolutionary social science

Prospect Theory: How We Make Decisions Under Risk

Study finds apes mind their manners much like humans
A Big-Picture Look at Social Rules
Social Contract Theory in Education: Rules, Rights and Responsibilities