Philosophy of Law
| Specialisation of: | Philosophy (of a Specific Discipline) |
|---|---|
| Degree: | Master of Arts in Philosophy |
| Mode of Study: | Full-time, Part-time |
| Duration: | 2 years (full-time); 4 years (part-time) |
| Start date: | September, February |
| Language of instruction: | English and Dutch |
| Location: | Leiden |
| Croho/isat code: | 60823 |
Law is a peculiar institution in modern societies. It permeates all areas of life and guides our everyday interactions in all sorts of ways. But what is law actually? What makes certain rules law and others not? And what makes something into a rule anyway? Should we identify law as codified law or can we find law in other places as well? What is the proper method for finding law? What sorts of reasoning do legal practitioners use when they seek to apply the law to a case?
Programme
Students follow a part of their master’s programme at the Leiden Law School. The remaining parts of the programme, the courses in philosophy and the specialist courses in Philosophy of Law, are characterised by a firm integration of historical and systematic approaches in philosophy and an emphasis on studying primary philosophical texts. This gives students familiarity with both historical scholarship and current philosophical debates.
The Leiden Institute for Philosophy offers a combination of continental and analytical philosophy, which is an attractive feature for students searching for a confrontation of different types of philosophical method. The specialist courses in Philosophy of Law can in some instances be adapted to the student’s personal interests and may be offered as a series of individual tutorial sessions.
For the most up-to-date course overview, see the e-Prospectus.
