The Principle of Mutual Benefit

Abstract

Chapter 11 begins by arguing that, if one takes a contractarian approach, one can recommend to citizens together that they uphold specific normative principles. I then present a contractarian argument for a normative principle, the Principle of Mutual Benefit, that generates intentions for mutual benefit of the kind analysed in Chapter 10. I argue that this normative principle has psychological stability because of a mechanism of ‘correspondence of sentiments’ first proposed by Adam Smith, and which is supported by psychological evidence. The final section of the chapter rounds off the book by using Immanuel Kant’s relationship with the builders of his house to link the Principle of Mutual Benefit with the idea of a market as a community of advantage.