Morals by agreement / David Gauthier.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gauthier, David P., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Contracts.

Contractarianism (Ethics).

Ethics.

Cooperation.

Philosophy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (vi, 367 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Clarendon, 1987, c1986.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In this book the author argues that moral principles are principles of rational choice. According to the usual view of choice, a rational person selects what is likely to give the greatest expectation of value or utility. But in many situations, if each person chooses in this way, everyone will be worse off than need be. Instead, Professor Gauthier proposes a principle whereby choice is made on an agreed basis of co-operation, rather than according to what would give theindividual the greatest expectation of value. He shows that such a principle not only ensures mutual benefit and fairness, th

Contents:

I. Overview of a Theory; II. Choice: Reason and Value; III. Strategy: Reason and Equilibrium; IV. The Market: Freedom from Morality; V. Co-operation: Bargaining and Justice; VI. Compliance: Maximization Constrained; VII. The Initial Bargaining Position: Rights and the Proviso; VIII. The Archimedean Point; IX. Persons, Peoples, Generations; X. The Ring of Gyges; XI. The Liberal Individual.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

0-19-159749-X

1-281-98113-3

9786611981136

OCLC:

735625151