David Gauthier: Why Contractarianism

question 31

Multiple Choice

David Gauthier: Why Contractarianism?
Gauthier begins by claiming that morality faces a foundational crisis: morality's supposed authority depends on a worldview we no longer accept - one according to which the world is purposively ordered. Because of this, there is a serious question as to why we should accept the constraints of morality, given that these constraints purport to be independent of our desires and interests. This question becomes particularly pressing when obeying the dictates of morality would require sacrificing our interests for the sake of someone or something that we do not personally care about.
Some respond to this challenge by claiming that morality needs no justification. Gauthier claims that such a vindication is necessary, however. And we have an alternative method for justifying our actions that makes no reference to moral considerations. This method is that of deliberative justification, according to which an action is justified if and only if it maximizes the agent's expected utility (where utility is understood in terms of considered preferences) . Even if we were to do away with morality, we could still justify our actions via deliberative rationality.
Gauthier claims that there are three possible ways for morality to survive the challenge he has raised. One could argue that (i) we must postulate moral facts to explain our experiences, or (ii) one could argue that deliberative justification is somehow incomplete, or (iii) one could try to locate morality within the framework of deliberative rationality. Gauthier embraces the third way of resolving the crisis. He conceives of morality as a set of rules that constrain people's behavior, but that are mutually agreed on because they are to everyone's advantage. Because we gain more than we lose by submitting to such rules, deliberative rationality councils us to accept them.
-Gauthier claims that if we could find an explanatory role for moral properties:

• A) this would still not explain why we should obey moral constraints.
• B) this would save morality from the foundational crisis.
• C) moral justification would be reducible to deliberative justification.
• D) moral properties would play a similar role to religious properties.

Assess the conditions under which a purely competitive firm will continue production or shut down in the short run.

Recognize the relationship between a firm’s marginal cost curve and its short-run supply curve.

Analyze the impact of fixed and variable costs on a firm's production decisions.

Describe how total, average, and marginal costs relate to profit maximization in the short run.

---

Definitions:

Communication "Do's"

Recommended practices that enhance effective communication, including clarity, empathy, and active listening.

Appearance

The way that someone or something looks to others, including aspects of physical presentation and grooming.

Critical Thinking

The ability to analyze facts, generate and organize ideas, defend opinions, make comparisons, draw inferences, evaluate arguments, and solve problems.

Problem-Solving Skills

Abilities or techniques employed to identify, analyze, and resolve issues or challenges effectively.