Which of the following BEST describes a social contract as defined by Western philosophers in the 18th century?
To find the answer to this question, we need to understand the concept of a social contract as defined by Western philosophers in the 18th century. This requires exploring the works of key thinkers during that time period.
One prominent philosopher who extensively discussed the idea of a social contract was Thomas Hobbes. According to Hobbes, the social contract is an implicit agreement among individuals in society, where individuals willingly surrender some of their natural rights in order to live in a stable and orderly society. In return, the government or ruling authority protects their remaining rights and ensures their safety.
On the other hand, another influential philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, had a different interpretation. Rousseau believed that the social contract is a voluntary agreement among free individuals. This contract forms the basis for a just and equal society, where individuals submit to the collective will in order to protect their common interests and maintain social harmony.
Considering these different perspectives, the best description of a social contract as defined by Western philosophers in the 18th century would be an agreement where individuals willingly surrender some of their rights in exchange for security and the protection of their remaining rights.