  But even if such a contract were possible, a much greater problem remains for Spinoza. How can we take seriously a legitimacy-conferring contract without violating the naturalism that is at the core of Spinoza’s metaphysics? What is this right that is surrendered or transferred? And how can one really transfer one’s right, given the coextensivity of right and power? Spinoza’s naturalistic, utility-based account of obligation (see 2.2, above) also seems to preclude the possibility of a binding social contract.