When we ask philosophical questions, we’re talking about the construction of a culture’s mores, thoughts, and morality. In other words, we’re talking about the building blocks of law. Our society’s philosophical and moral understandings of good and evil, right and wrong, and morality and immorality lay the foundation for the way we construct what is legal and illegal. Philosophy is a great foundation for law because you’ll study the orations of philosophers and learn the building blocks of logic. You’re the kind of person who sees that understanding the big picture requires a reasoned pursuit of fundamental truths, and you’re still searching for answers. At Loyno, we can’t promise that you’ll leave with those answers, but we can promise you’ll learn the right questions to ask.
Overview of Courses
Our program offers challenging courses and a flexible structure. In the systematic sequence, you’ll take courses on law, morality, political theory, social topics, and theoretical philosophy. In the historical sequence, you’ll learn ancient, medieval, and modern philosophy. Here’s a sample of what you can expect to learn and do:
- Philosophy of Law
This is an inquiry into the nature of law; the relevance of law to morality; the concepts of responsibility in the law; punishment; and the relevance to law justice, equality, and liberty. We also explore the philosophical assumptions that underlie criminal law and private law. - Social and Political Philosophy
What is the origin, nature, and necessity of political order? In this course we try to answer this question while examining the relation of the individual to the social and political whole; the origin, nature, and just use of political authority; the nature of rights and duty; the problem of freedom; and the philosophical prerequisites of a just social order are addressed. - Law and Morality
This course presents and analyzes frameworks for conducting ethical reasoning in the context of the law. This course asks: How should we conceive of the relationship between moral principles and legal norms? Does the law command our allegiance and respect from a moral point of view? How should moral principles inform legislation?
Curriculum
I. Systematic Philosophy
- Phil A225: Philosophy of Law
Moral and Political Theory (Choose 1):
- Phil A215 Ethics
- Phil A320 Social and Political Theory
- Phil A330 Modern Political Theory
- Phil V235 Philosophy of Right
Philosophy and Social Topics (Choose 1):
- Phil V234 Medical Ethics
- Phil 241 Phil Perspective on Woman
- Phil V243 Environmental Philosophy
- Phil V244 Law and Morality
- Phil V260 Social Justice
Theoretical Philosophy (Choose 1):
- Phil A201 Practical Logic
- Phil A210 Metaphysics
- Phil A220 Epistemology
- Phil A300 Philosophy of Science
- Phil A307 Philosophy of Mind
- Phil A340 Being and God
II. History of Philosophy
(Choose 1 from each of the 4 historical periods):
Ancient:
- Phil A400 History of Ancient Philosophy
- Phil A490 Major Seminar: Ancient
Medieval:
- Phil A405 History of Medieval Philosophy
- Phil A408 Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas
- Phil A491 Major Seminar: Medieval
Modern:
- Phil A410 History of Modern Philosophy
- Phil A492 Major Seminar: Modern
Contemporary:
- A416 Hist of 19th Cent Phil
- A430 American Phil
- A435Existentialism
- A440 Phenomenology
- A465 Intr to Analytic Phil
- A498 Maj. Sem.: Contemporary
III. Electives
Students must take 3 electives. Some courses offered recently are:
- Phil A210: Metaphysics
- Phil A220: Epistemology
- Phil A430: American Philosophy
- Phil A465: Introduction to Analytical Philosophy
IV. Major Seminar course
All majors must complete at least one Major Seminar course (A490, A491, A492 or A493) prior to graduation.
Philosophy Course Information
Find out more about the philosophy major: