We can thank Thomas Hobbes (by the way, Hobbes from Calvin & Hobbes was named after this guy) for this wondrous theory that I learned about today. In 1651 he wrote a book called Leviathan which expounds upon his idea of morality. This ethical theory is an easy one to grab a hold of if you can take the Golden Rule and turn it upside down. In a nutshell it is "Don't do unto others so that they don't do unto you."
Hobbes speaks of something called the 'state of nature' in which man used to live. There is, by nature, no good and evil, right and wrong, just and unjust. We are creatures entirely without conscience, ruled solely by pleasure and pain, ravenous in our desires and ruthless in their pursuit. Of course, most people would suffer, there would be continual fear and danger of violent death, and it is very likely that your live would be, in Hobbes' words, "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
Because conditions were so deplorable, someone got together a bunch of people and said, "Well, I want you guys to know that I do not want to die. I can also appreciate that you don't want to die either. So let's say that we make something up called a 'rule' in which we all agree to not kill one another. How's that sound?"
Affirmative grunts all around.
"Great, next item on the list is that if someone breaks the 'rule' they are now outside of the contract. Therefore, we can beat that person to death with rocks. Agreed?"
More grunts.
"Wonderful, wonderful. We also need someone in authority to make sure that others don't break the 'rule'. I nominate myself and immediately close nominations. All in favor?"
Grunts all around.
"And finally if I do not protect your lives you have the duty to resist. You could write, say, a document and declare your independence from me or some such thing."
The end.
Okay, okay, so that may not have been 'exactly' how it happened, but this does illustrate the three things that social contracts need. The first is that rights do not exist before the contract, rather they are created by the contract. Think about that, morals have been created by people. I hope you can start to see the problem with that. The contract does need someone in authority to enforce the rules because other people will more than likely break the contract. And what happens if it is the authority that breaks the contract? If your rights (usually life and liberty, but John Locke would include the pursuit of happiness) are violated by those in authority you are under no obligation to obey them anymore.
Problems
First and foremost, Thomas Hobbes was working on pure speculation when it came to the origins of society and especially morals. He wrote this in 1651 and archaeology wasn't even invented yet. All of his ideas about the 'state of nature' came from his imagination. And even if it were true, then humanity would have self-destructed before it could even have begun!
Also if you are against senseless cruelty to animals, you might not be a social contract theorist. Wait, what? Think about it. Animals have not signed any social contract with humans, so they lie outside of the contract. Therefore, we are under no obligation to protect them! But if you think that it is wrong to be senselessly cruel to animals then social contract theory isn't for you.
Let's say there is a guy who decides to live out in the middle of nowhere in an attempt to get out of any social contract with anybody else. He's out in the woods and comes upon a hiker stuck under some rocks. Should he help the hiker? If you answer yes, he is morally obligated to help the trapped hiker, then social contract theory isn't for you.
And finally, supposing that social contract theory is true, do you remember signing it? No of course not, you were born into this society! You had no choice in the matter. Strictly speaking, a social contract theorist cannot obligate future generations under the current contract. There is no authority to do so. The current contract is only good for those who sign it. Now future generations may agree to to the contract, but the people alive now cannot obligate them to do so.
A Christian Response
Now what does the Christian make of all of this? Let's say that you come upon a social contract theorist who tells you, "Oh, so I'm under some obligation to listen to God? Well, I don't remember coming into an agreement with Him. Nobody asked me. I never agreed to be born into this world where God has set up the rules. Why should I listen to him?"
Well, who are you to demand that God needs your approval? God is God! The sovereign Almighty-who-is-in-charge most certainly does not need to consult you on any matter whatsoever. Job tried asking God for a justification of His behavior. He said,
"I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing." (Job 31:35)
God answered Job, and oh boy, did He answer,
"Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. (Job 38:2-4)
God basically gives Job a verbal beatdown for two whole chapters. He enumerates item after item that show his majesty and power. He ends it up with saying,
"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!" (Job 40:2)Job answers the only way that a sane person can.
"I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer — twice, but I will say no more." (Job 40:4-5)Good job, Job. You got it. You understand that when confronted with God's authority, wisdom, and power the only proper behavior on our part is to (1) Shut up, and (2) Repeat rule number one.
So that is an answer to the critic of God, but not the only one. Appealing to God's power and might is necessary, AND we can also appeal to His love for us. It's not that all of a sudden we popped into existence with no forethought on God's part. We didn't just come into being because of unknown forces at work. Paul explained this to the Ephesians.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:4-8)
God's love can't be topped so I'll just end this post here.
Thanks for reading!
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