Philosophy of Law

This course will be taught in the Philosophy Department. It will consider the philosophical problems surrounding the idea of criminal responsibility. We will discuss the elements of responsibility, including mens rea and voluntariness, and the various conditions under which responsibility is called into question, for example, insanity, infancy, intoxication, and addiction. We may also consider the relationship between responsibility and preventive detention.

Mandatory: None

Recommended: It is desirable that students have background, or at least a very strong interest, in philosophical reasoning.