Loren Lomasky, in his Persons, Rights and the Moral Community sets out a rather libertarian theory of rights.
He makes a curious assertion in regard to the formulation of an essentially individualistic social contract. He writes:
Therefore, it is a mistake to commence political analysis with a state-of-nature scenario in which each individual is entirely consumed by his own conceptions of value-for-himself and regards others as only obstacles to his own designs. Hobbsian egoism… is logically precluded from initiating relations of sociality.
Lomasky’s argument here (starting on page 69) is that individuals who act solely on the basis of self-interest would not consent to a social contract.
I entirely disagree. Purely egoistic motivation does not preclude acts of giving. I could give a cow food every day for several years, and it would not qualify as altruism. Altruism is defined as unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. It may appear altruistic, but my motives are purely egoistic. I want meat, so I feed the cow well.
Likewise, the individualistic social contract requires me to refrain from interfering in the freedom of others. It may appear altruistic when we consider all the fun I could have violating his freedom, subjecting him to slavery, stealing his wealth, etc. But it is motivated purely by self-interest. I am not concerned so much with the freedom I offer him as I am concerned with the protection of my own freedom which I am gaining.
