CSRE 175W: Philosophy of Law: Protest, Punishment, and Racial Justice (ETHICSOC 175W, PHIL 175W, PHIL 275W, POLISCI 137, POLISCI 337)

Course Description

In this course, we will examine some of the central questions in philosophy of law, including: What is law? How do we determine the content of laws? Do laws have moral content? What is authority? What gives law its authority? Must we obey the law? If so, why? How can we justify the law? How should we understand and respond to unjust laws? What is punishment? What is punishment for? What, if anything, justifies punishment by the state? What is enough punishment? What is too much punishment? What does justice require under nonideal conditions? Prerequisite: one prior course in Philosophy.