Gab asked:

How have Teleological and Deontological ethics influenced major political philosophies of the 18th,
19th and 20th centuries? What countries represent such ethics?

Can you explain to me the origins of Social Contract Philosophy?

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1. One interesting case of deontological ethics influencing political developments, is the idea of
   natural rights: that every one has certain rights that are inviolable such as the right to life liberty and
   property. This idea, advocated by John Locke, is adapted in the American Constitution, 1787 and the
   Bill Of Rights. (Many historians and political analysts would say that such influence started with the
   Enlightenment and the French revolution, But this is controversial.)

Probably the most common sited example of consequentialist ethics influencing politics is
Utilitarianism, which was embraced by conflicting political opponents, including both liberal reformist
positions and the conservative "laissez faire" economic ideology (although utilitarians themselves
were divided on the question of government intervention in the free-market economy of Victorian
England).

The 20th century can be seen as a mixture of both deontological and teleological influences. This
probably reflects the distinction J.S. Mill makes between the private and public life. On the one hand
there is the need by governments to protect the rights of the individual and on the other hand there is
the need to provide the good for society as a whole.

Combining these two aims into a successful and functioning political philosophy is perhaps the aim of
the 21st century.

2. The idea of the social contract can be traced to Plato (see his dialogue Critoand the Republic
   Book 2). Plato discusses the contract as a defence against harm and suffering. While Plato does not
   accept this idea, a similar view was developed by Hobbes in his Leviathan.The idea has also been
   discussed by Locke and Rousseau.

The common thought to all these philosophers is that humans pre-socially are in a State of Nature
and because of the conditions of this state of nature come together to form a society. For Hobbes the
state of nature was one of constant fear of attack and death, a war of all against all. This fear of death
leads to the formation of a state which would ensure an individuals safety.

The Social contract has survived into present day, and takes two basic forms. One following Hobbes
stresses the of physical powers of individuals and the advantages of cooperating in a society in order
to preserve each others interests. The other is a Kantian idea based on the recognition of equal moral
worth and status, in which each persons welfare is a matter of impersonal concern. This account has
found its most famous and detailed defence in Rawls's A Theory Of Justice.

Brian Tee
Dept of Philosophy
University of Sheffield