Macro Social Contracts - Essay Example

1. The contracts have terms of reference that vary from contract to contract. “…the terms of a contract providing a foundation for economic ethics acceptable to a diverse set of imaginary contractors (some greed-driven egoists, some deeply religious artists, most probably in between) …” (Donaldson and Dunfee 26)

2. The macro-social contracts are based on the assumption that there is rationalism among the contractors as they know the facts that are entailed. “…not afflicted inconsistency or logical confusion” (26)
3. The contractors are aware of some of the facts about themselves. “We do not assume…are ignorant of all facts concerning themselves” (Donaldson and Dunfee 26)
4. The contractors are aware of their political and economic preferences. “An individual may know her preferences” (Donaldson and Dunfee 26)
5. Those who undertake the experimental thought on social contract are not aware of the political and economic preferences of contractors. “…we are confronted with an undetermined mix of contractor preferences” (Donaldson and Dunfee 27)
6. The contractors don’t entirely lack moral principles. “…at least bring with them the underlying senses of wrong and write….” (Donaldson and Dunfee 27)

            The list above shows the argument of Donaldson and Dunfee about macro-macro-social understanding. These main points can be used as the basic principles that govern the same kind of contracts.