DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x25101611 ISSN: 0140-525X

When consent isn’t enough: explaining third-party disapproval of consensual decisions within the contractualist framework

Cindy Zhang, Kristin Laurin

Abstract

Why might people make negative moral judgments about others’ consensual exchanges? Within triple theory, these should count as mutually beneficial agreements and therefore enjoy uncontroversial moral approval. We propose two explanations: observers of an exchange may (1) do their own cost-benefit analysis or (2) prioritize moral norms. Additional theorizing is required for either of these to align with resource rationality.

More from our Archive