1. Philosophical Influences on Canadian Law

2. PLATO ( BCE)
Plato thought that the ideal ruler of society would be a “philosopher king,”
He then realized that it would be hard to find such a leader so there needed to be laws.

3. ARISTOTLE ( BCE)
If people were unequal than they deserved unequal shares of wealth
People needed representation

4. EPICURUS (341-348 BCE) Everyone deserves to be happy
Happiness is different for all, therefore laws needed to be put into place.

5. CICERO (106-43 BCE) Opposed to dictatorship (Caesar)
Established justice, equality & fairness in all law
Agreed with Aristotle that there should be people representing the public

6. Into to Noam Chomsky 7:33 Part 1
JUSTINIAN ( BCE)
Established Roman Law
Wanted people to be born “free”
People could not be bought from one another
Into to Noam Chomsky 7:33 Part 1

7. SAINT AUGUSTIAN (354-430 BCE)
Strong believer in God’s law
“The only perfect law is Eternal law, God’s law.

8. THOMAS AQUINAS (1225-1274) Law should be for the common good
Didn’t believe laws made people good

9. THOMAS HOBBES (1588-1679) Atheist Humans are animals
Wanted to protect life, property by social contracts
Avoiding the idea of natural law
Justice is dependant on people’s obedience

10. JOHN LOCKE (1632-1704) Individual rights
Need for limits on the power of the state
Protect against arbitrary acts of others interfering with freedom

11. JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU (1712-1778)
Government should make decisions according to the general will of the people
Encouraged helping others

12. JEREMY BENTHAM ( )
Laws should be based on more than good morals
Law is social control
“the greatest good for the greatest number”
Chomsky Part 2 8:39

15. JOHN AUSTIN (1790-1859) Supporter of positive law
Ethics/Morality should play no part in making a law good or bad
Legal norms decide whether a person is just or unjust

16. JOHN STUART MILL ( )
Laws should be useful in the functioning of society
Utilitarianism
Emancipation of women, labor unions
Free speech

17. Why People Hate Americans 4:09
Modern Philosophers
Why People Hate Americans 4:09

18. H.L.A. HART (1907-1992) Judges should be flexible in circumstances
Two levels of law
Primary (what individuals must/must not do)
Secondary (how primary rules are defined and how they can removed, changed, enforced & applied

19. JOHN RAWLS (1921-) “Justice is fairness``
Legal system should strive towards ideal
Everyone should be given the same opportunities in legal system

20. RICHARD A. POSNER (1939-) Law should reflect economic realities
Laws should be assessed on their effectiveness

21. NOAM CHOMSKY (1948-) Law is power Elite class makes true decisions
The law works for those in power
The media is very influential on laws
Human Destiny 3:51
Why People Hate Americans 4:09
Into to Noam Chomsky 7:33 Part 1
Chomsky Part 2 8:39