Philosophy of Law

The course is an introduction to legal philosophy and justice, and is aimed at encouraging independent critical thinking about them.

The course will explore many topics, including the nature and content of law, its relation to morality, theories of legal interpretation, and the obligation to obey the law, as well as philosophical issues and problems associated with punishment and responsibility, liberty, and legal ethics. A special attention will be devoted to the concept, the nature, and content of justice, and its relation with law: in this part, the course will analyse topics as affirmative action, income distribution, same-sex marriage, the role of markets, and arguments for and against equality.