PHIL 265 - Philosophy of Law

A systematic investigation of fundamental issues about the nature and moral significance of law. We first discuss the nature of law and legal reasoning. Is the existence and content of law determined by social facts alone or moral principles too? How are judges to interpret the constitution? Next we examine several topics in normative and critical legal philosophy about what the law should be and our moral obligations in relation to the law. Is it permissible to enforce morality through the law and coercion? What, if anything, justifies criminal punishment? Does the law have moral authority over its subjects? Do we have a duty to obey the law in an unjust society?

Prerequisites
One course in philosophy highly recommended for first-years.

Credits 4

Area
Humanities

Connection
20067

Division
Arts and Humanities

Compass Attributes
Humanities, Structure/Power/Inequality, Taylor and Lane Scholars