Free will in social and psychological contracts
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the scientific standing of the concept of free will and its role and functioning in social and psychological contracts. It updates Rousseau (2012).
Design/methodology/approach
This is a conceptual paper.
Findings
Social structures that support the exercise of free will are central to the functioning of both social and psychological contracts.
Research limitations/implications
The paper contributes to the debate in the natural and social sciences regarding the existence and functioning of free will in everyday life.
Practical implications
Highlights the importance of the configuration of choices or options people have to promote expression of free will.
Social implications
Social contracts that support or provide attractive options are key to the expression of free will.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the debate in the natural and social sciences regarding the existence and functioning of free will in everyday life.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This article is a republication made available for the anniversary issue of SBR. The original article was published in Society and Business Review, Vol. 7, Iss: 1 (2012) pp. 8-13 and can be found online at: www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/17465681211195751
The author thanks Yvon Pesqueux for developing and organizing the Paris conference on the Social and Psychological Conference and CNAM for the support it provided.
Citation
Rousseau, D.M. (2016), "Free will in social and psychological contracts", Society and Business Review, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 210-216. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBR-04-2016-0031
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited