Social contract theory implies which of the following?

Social contract theory is a philosophical concept that originates from thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. It posits that individuals collectively agree to form a society and establish a government through implicit or explicit consent. This agreement arises out of the need for order, security, and cooperation, as individuals alone would face challenges that are better addressed in a community context.

By selecting the option that states individuals are bound to society by their own consent, creating mutual responsibility, this aligns perfectly with the fundamental idea of the social contract. It highlights that individuals agree to follow the rules and laws set by society in exchange for protection and the benefits derived from being part of a collective. This concept emphasizes personal agency, as it is the consent of individuals that legitimizes the authority of the society or government.

In contrast to this framework, other options propose ideas that diverge from social contract theory. For example, the notion that individuals have no obligation to society contradicts the very essence of a social contract, where obligations are a key feature of the agreement. Similarly, suggesting that society exists independently of individual consent neglects the foundational belief that consent is central to the legitimacy of social structures. Lastly, the idea that society can impose laws without