LAW00520 Philosophy of Law

Task:

Select ONE essay from the following three options. You MUST read the answers to frequently asked questions below.

Essay 1

‘You can’t handle the truth.’

A Few Good Men (Castle Rock Entertainment, 1992). Drawing on a theory or theories in this Unit, critically consider the relationship between the concepts of truth and law. In other words, what is the relationship (assuming there is one) between truth and law? Does it matter?

Essay 2

‘Justice? You get justice in the next world. In this one you have the law.’ William Gaddis, A Frolic of His Own (Poseidon Press, 1994) Historically, some scholars have argued that law and justice are connected. This is one of the reasons a key theme of legal theory concerns their relationship. What is the relationship, if any, between law and justice? Does it matter?

Essay 3

‘Interpretation is a ubiquitous activity, unfolding whenever humans aspire to grasp whatever interpretanda [interpretation] they deem significant’.

Chrysostomos Mantzavinos, Hermeneutics, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (22 June 2016)

One of the significant elements distinguishing contemporary jurisprudence from traditional jurisprudence involves abandoning the idea that law is reducible to a single interpretation. With this in mind, identify one case you find particularly interesting then read and interpret it from a legal perspective explored in this unit.

Critically read and interpret case A in light of legal perspective B. What is the value of doing so? 

Answers to frequently asked questions

Is 10% leeway in the word count permitted? 

Should I use one theory or more than one theory? 

Should I do more research than just the Unit material?

How many references should I use? 

Is there a marking rubric for this essay? 

Since it is the holiday season, can we have an extension? 

Do I have to use the quote provided? 

Is there a reason for both a statement and a question in each essay option? 

Can I use first person in my essay? 

Are you expecting something different of a philosophy essay compared with an essay in law generally? 

What sort of information is needed in my introduction?