Social Contract Theory Tradition in the Context of Theology of God

Author: Lin Guoji
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: Regarding the "state of nature," neither Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, nor Kant in the tradition of social contract theory provided any clear explanation or elaboration. Did they really have no need to do so? Perhaps! But in our view, we must reveal the more hidden questions behind the assumption of the "state of nature." Otherwise, it would be difficult to understand what pressing challenges and destinies our universe, our city-states, and the Chinese people have encountered over the past hundred years. This book examines social contract theory within the context of theodicy and the creation ex nihilo. It is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 traces the cosmology of Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and the Neoplatonist Plotinus, revealing the common features of Greek cosmology and its theodical defense themes (evil) and methods (aesthetics). Chapter 2 takes the early medieval Christian theologian Augustine as a case study to examine the connection between his aesthetic theodicy and Greek cosmology. Chapter 3 takes the late medieval Christian voluntarist theologian Duns Scotus as a, attempting to propose a non-denominational, non-eschatological theodicy with only worldly institutional interests and non-aesthetic orientation. Chapter 4 explores the problem awareness of social contract theory and its solutions, as well as its relationship with theodicy and creation ex nihilo.