The logical structure of Scanlon's contractualism

Abstract

In this paper we use fixed-point modal logic to study the logical properties of justified norms in Scanlonian contractualism. We show a natural connection between Scanlon's test for justifiability and the computation of the smallest fixed point; we rebut a common charge of vacuity based on the recursive character of the proposal; we show that the resulting justification operator is not a normal modality, and we explore the epistemic component often left implicit in the justification procedure. Given that such procedural justifications have so far not been investigated using modern logical tools, this paper contributes both to deontic logic and to the literature on contractualism in ethics. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.