Philosophy of Law

This course explores competing philosophical theories of the origin and nature of the law. Positive and natural law primarily will be contrasted, analyzed and critically evaluated within the overall context of the philosophical tradition and the history of philosophy. The goal of the course is to provide some general philosophical frameworks for understanding the nature of law and its relation to ethics, the organization of civil society and the state. On occasion the philosophical analysis of the law will be complemented with practical examples from statutory materials, case law and contemporary legal debates.