Ask an expert: setting the frame

Recently, I asked my second year
university students to debate the pros
and cons of written versus verbal
contracts. They divided into groups
with one half of the room listing the
pros and the other half the cons. One group
thought a written contract contravenes the ethical
principle of justice, as it militates against the blind
or illiterate. Whereas the other group pointed out
that without a written contract that the client can
take home and consider, it is hard to obtain
informed consent. One person pointed out that the
ethical question might be whether or not justice
(treating everyone fairly) trumps autonomy
(informed consent).
What is a contract