1. Legal Philosophy
Eating the cabin Boy

3. R. v. Dudley and Stephens
Read the “In Brief” regarding R. v. Dudley and Stephens
With some of your peers work through the 3 guiding questions.
The reason for your choices is what is important- the ratio decidendi

4. Legal Philosophy Big questions of human existence- philosophy
Abstract concepts of good and evil, right and wrong, justice and injustice
Morals- guiding behaviors of right and wrong- when an individual acts against the moral ways of a community, there are various responses to that behavior
There is a relationship between a community’s values, morals and its formal laws
Therefore it is obvious that legal philosophy or jurisprudence is of great interest for philosophers

5. Legal Philosophy Where does law get its authority?
Why do people obey rules and laws if it means losing a certain degree of freedom?
Wouldn’t we be happier if we could do as we please and followed our own desires?

6. Legal Philosophy The Social Contract- without rules= state of nature
Enter into a social contract…quite simple to understand- Ex: we agree to respect other people’s property on condition that they will respect ours
In the end due to the root of the questions regarding the authority and law, naturally there are varying perspectives regarding those questions…typical human behavior.
Generally there are 5 legal perspectives and within each of those are various sub- theories that try to provide a more narrow and specific theory:

7. Legal Philosophy Natural Law Legal Positivism Legal Realism
Critical Legal Studies
Economic Theory of Law