Legal and Political Philosophy (MSc) (P02172)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : PPL-P-MSc LPP

This course explores both the history of, and the current arguments about, natural law and positivism. It begins by analysing the origins of natural law theory, through the works of Cicero, Aquinas, Grotius, Hobbes and Locke, and examines the ways in which natural law was thought to intersect with morality, politics and civil/customary law. The second half of the course focuses on the contemporary debate between Legal Positivism and Natural Law Theory, looking in particular at the views of leading contemporary positivist H.L.A Hart and his critics.

Shared with UG Course PP0080 Legal and Political Philosophy.

Venue: G09 William Robertson Building

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Philosophy, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
10/01/2008	14:00	16:00	Room G.09, William Robertson Building	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing the course, students will:
- have an understanding of some of the foundational texts of natural law theory
- appreciate the history of natural law theory, and how it developed in connection with certain accounts of morality, positive law and political obligation/authority
- have a critical grasp of the ongoing controversy between natural law and legal positivism
- be able to demonstrate in written work, presentations and other oral contributions a judicious analysis of the most significant arguments for and against both natural law theory and legal positivism