LAW 847: Philosophy of Law
This is an introductory class in legal and political philosophy. It will address some of the basic yet vexing questions that lurk in the background of other courses, such as: What is law? Where does it (or should it) come from? What are its purposes and justifications? In what senses is law found or made, positive or natural, instrumental or moral, objective or subjective, neutral or political? The course will be organized around a review of how dominant Anglo-American theories of law, particularly those developed since the mid-nineteenth century, have addressed these and other questions. Readings will include the works of important philosophers and judges such as Holmes, Pound, Cardozo, Llewellyn, H.L.A. Hart, Dworkin, MacKinnon, and Posner. [3 credit hours]
