Philosophy of Law

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Same as PHIL24408 - 01 but additional work will be required. This course introduces some central philosophical problems arising from the theory and practice of law in Britain and the USA. Philosophy of Law is concerned both with understanding what the law is and what the law ought to be; it is concerned both with how we determine what the law is and how we ought to respond to it. The aim of this course is to introduce students both to the descriptive and the normative side of law. We will consider: the nature of law; the nature of fundamental legal roles (subject; legislator; judge); what the aims of law ought to be; philosophical issues in criminal law and tort law; and what sorts of basic challenges can be made to philosophy of law as a discipline.