Morals By Agreement

by David P. Gauthier

Is morality rational? In this book Gauthier argues that moral principles are principles of rational choice. He proposes a principle whereby choice is made on an agreed basis of cooperation, rather than according to what would give an individual the greatest expectation of value. He shows that
such a principle not only ensures mutual benefit and fairness, thus satisfying the standards of morality, but also that each person may actually expect greater utility by adhering to morality, even though the choice did not have that end primarily in view. In resolving what may appear to be a
paradox, the author establishes morals on the firm foundation of reason. Gauthier's argument includes an account of value, linking it to preference and utility; a discussion of the curcumstances in which morality is unnecessary; and an application of morals by agreement to relations between peoples
at different levels of development and different generations. Finally, he reflects on the assumptions about individuality and community made by his account of rationality and morality.

Genres: Philosophy

376 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oftentimes utilitarian philosophers like myself will find themselves being presented with the objection that utilitarian philosophy is, fundamentally, an ethics of subjectivism. If our morals are about making us happy (and preventing us from being unhappy), then they could not be in any sense an objective part of our social order - other social orders could decide that things we thought were despicable were obligatory, and there would be no 'archimedian point' outside our own context from which to critique the views of an opposing social ordering. "Morals by agreement" provides utilitarian philosophy with that archimedean point. The thesis clearly demonstrates the rationality (indeed, absolutel rationality) of the utilitarian ethic with reference to the mathematical discipline of game theory. For a utilitarian philosopher, this addition to ethics is a welcome tool to rebut the frequent subjectivist canard.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Gauthier presents a clear contractarian moral theory in Morals By Agreement. One of the major questions in Ethics is "why act ethically?", contractarian theories are largely designed to answer just this question. Gauthier deploys game theory in an effort to provide a rational basis for acting from moral considerations. At it's heart this is a utilitarian theory that provides a rational reason for including considerations of others' well-being in deliberating one's own action.

This work is highly technical, yet approachable. I highly suggest it.

[Heather Hoyt]

Read for research. A contractarian view of morality based on self-interest and rationality.

[Soha Bayoumi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A landmark in libertarian thought, where Gauthier attempts to establish his theory of justice as mutual advantage

[Leonardo]

Citado en La Idea de Justicia.