Year
2020
Units
4.5
Contact
1 x 2-hour seminar weekly
Enrolment not permitted
PHIL2330 has been successfully completed
Topic description
This topic examines some central concepts in the philosophy of law, such as freedom, equality and justice. Consideration is given to problems in the philosophy of law, including: Does the law restrict or enhance our freedom? What is the relationship between law and morality? Are voluntary contractual relationships inherently just? Is equality necessary for Justice? Also, a critical assessment is given of some legal institutions, including property, employment and the family.
Educational aims
This topic aims to:
- provide students with an understanding of the philosophical foundations of justice, liberty and equality and an evaluation of the way some important social institutions, including the legal system, embody these values
- encourage students to comprehend and identify key points in contemporary discussions of issues concerned with law reform and issues of fairness in important social institution such as property, employment and the family
- encourage students to formulate a philosophical problem and develop a fairly sustained argument for an important position in some key debates concerned with justice, liberty or equality, including debates as to whether important social institutions adequately embody these values, while making extensive reference to significant contributions in modern moral and political philosophy
- equip students to acquire a reasonably deep comprehension of significant positions and arguments about justice, liberty or equality and whether important social institutions adequately embody these values
- engage in sound argument for or against some of those positions
- evaluate the soundness of significant arguments found in modern moral and political philosophy for and against those positions
Expected learning outcomes
Students must demonstrate both verbally and in writing that they:
- have read and understood some significant discussions of some important issues in contemporary moral and political philosophy, especially those concerned with justice, liberty or equality and whether important social institutions adequately embody these values
- have read and understood some key arguments on important issues contemporary moral and political philosophy, especially those concerned with justice, liberty or equality and whether important social institutions adequately embody these values
- can articulate in discussion and written work their understanding of some important issues that interest them concerned with justice, liberty or equality and whether important social institutions adequately embody these values
- can present a reasonably sustained philosophical debate in writing on some of these issues
Key dates and timetable
Timetable details for 2020 are no longer published.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
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