ALTRUISM AND SOLIDARITY IN CONTRACT LAW

Abstract

Traditionally, contract law is considered uniformly based on individualism. This normative support asserts the difference between one's interests and those of others, advocating the predominance of self-interest. Nevertheless, recent events that have affected the contractual relationships, beckon a critical appraisal of whether there is only one common normative foundation. In this regard, solidarity and altruism challenge the postulates of individualism and can be used as candidates for the grounds of contract law. This work explores such possibilities and seeks to position solidarity and altruism in this field. Finally, it is shown in what sense altruism has more relevance than solidarity to ground contract law and to face the individualistic prism.