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2007 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

Comparative Study of Historical Development of Social Contract Theories

Research Project

Project/Area Number 18530097
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Politics
Research InstitutionUniversity of Tsukuba (2007)
The University of Kitakyushu (2006)

Principal Investigator

YONEZAWA Shigeru  University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Professor (60145943)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) NAKAMICHI Hisakazu  The University of Kitakyushu, School of Law, Professor (40254619)
Project Period (FY) 2006 – 2007
Keywordssocial contract theory / ancient social contract theor / mythos / natural state / The Enalish Enlightenmen / Kant / Rousseau / Hobbes
Research Abstract

Despite outward appearances, social contract theories, from ancient to modern times, contain core mythical elements which lack the grasp of logic. Such theories contain the poetic or the mythical leanings of the theorists themselves. For example, Plato in Protagoras, through the mouth of Protagoras, sets forth a mythos in which he explains how humans came to form society among the primitives. Also, Hobbes imagines the natural state of man as warlike with all against all. We investigate and elucidate upon such mythical elements of each social contract thinker while noting the relationship between their theory and mythos. In the first part, we give a broad overview of the ancient social contract theories centering around Hesiod, sophists, and Socrates-Plato and then compare the views of the natural state and other aspects in ancient and modern social contract theories. In the second part, we deal with the social contract theories in modern age. First, we discuss the social contract theories in the English Enlightenment tracing its genealogy and shed some light on their mythos concerning the natural state. Second, we clarify the stance of the social contract theory in political thoughts in France, especially we elucidate the mythos which Rousseau's social contract theory contains. Third, we consider the social contract theory in German political theory and the mythos hidden in the thought of Kant and his social contract theory.

  • Research Products

    (10 results)

All 2008 2007

All Journal Article (4 results) (of which Peer Reviewed: 2 results) Presentation (2 results) Book (4 results)

  • [Journal Article] ソクラテスの無知の知について2008

    • Author(s)
      米澤茂
    • Journal Title

      筑波大学教育学系論集 32 巻

      Pages: 1-12

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] On Socratic Ignorance2008

    • Author(s)
      Shigeru Yonezawa
    • Journal Title

      Bulletin of Institute of Education, University of Tsukuba vol.32

      Pages: 1-12

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Journal Article] Plato , S Concept of Temperance in the Charmides2007

    • Author(s)
      Shigeru, Yonezawa
    • Journal Title

      Existentia Vol . 12

      Pages: 161-181

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Plato's Concept of Temperance in the Charmides2007

    • Author(s)
      Shigeru Yonezawa
    • Journal Title

      Existentia vol.12

      Pages: 161-181

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Presentation] Comments on Nick Smith's Returning to the Cave2008

    • Author(s)
      Shlgeru, Yonezawa
    • Organizer
      The 13th Anllual Arizona Colloquium in Ancient Phiosophy
    • Place of Presentation
      University of Arizona
    • Year and Date
      2008-02-15
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Presentation] Comments on Nick Smith's "Returning to the Cave"2008

    • Author(s)
      Shigeru Yonezawa
    • Organizer
      The 13th Annual Arizona Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy
    • Place of Presentation
      University of Arizona
    • Year and Date
      2008-02-15
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Book] 政策科学の挑戦2008

    • Author(s)
      中道壽一(編)
    • Total Pages
      211
    • Publisher
      日本評論社
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Book] The Challenge of Policy Science2008

    • Author(s)
      Hisakazu Nakamichi
    • Total Pages
      211
    • Publisher
      Nihonhyouronsha
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Book] 政治のデザイン2007

    • Author(s)
      中道壽一
    • Total Pages
      258
    • Publisher
      南窓社
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Book] The Design of Politics2007

    • Author(s)
      Hisakazu Nakamichi
    • Total Pages
      258
    • Publisher
      Nansosha
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より

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Published: 2010-02-04  

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