contractarianism

[ kon-trak-tair-ee-uh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. any of various theories that justify moral principles and political choices because they depend on a social contract involving certain ideal conditions, as lack of ignorance or uncertainty.
2. a general ethical theory that individuals make the right choices under a hypothetical social contract.

Other Words From

• contrac·tari·an adjective
• contrac·tari·an·ist adjective noun