Is an Agreement an Exchange of Promises?

Bibliographic Data

ID23214567
AuthorsMargaret Gilbert (0000-0001-9392-3012, University of California, Irvine, corresponding author), Journal Of Philosophy Inc
EditorsJohn Smylie
Year1993
Volume90
Issue12
Pages627-649
Publication date1993-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Philosophy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-362X • E-ISSN: 1939-8549
PublisherPhilosophy Documentation Center (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2307/2940815
OpenAlexW1569634484
LanguageDE
Citations received13

This paper challenges the common assumption that an agreement is an exchange of promises. Proposing that the performance obligations of some typical agreements are simultaneous, interdependent, and unconditional, it argues that no promise-exchange has this structure of obligations. In addition to offering general considerations in support of this claim, it examines various types of promise-exchange, showing that none satisfy the criteria noted. Two forms of conditional promise are distinguished and both forms are discussed. A positive account of agreements as joint decisions founded in a joint commitment is sketched. It is argued that the example agreements represent especially clearly the normative structure of social union.

Agreement · Business · Economics · Interdependence · Joint (building) · Law and economics · Normative · Political science · Positive economics · Social exchange theory · Social science · Sociology · Emile Durkheim and Sociology · Engineering · Law · Political Philosophy and Ethics · Social Sciences and Governance

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