Law and Philosophy Workshop

Law-Philosophy Workshop 2009-10

Professors Martha Nussbaum and Adam Hosein
Theme: Utilitarianism and Law

 Revised August 9

The purpose of the workshop will be to reflect about the varieties of utilitarianism that have been influential in law and the philosophical criticisms of them.  We hope to emerge with a better understanding of both the utilitarian proposals and their rivals. 

All meetings are Monday 4 to 6 PM.  Sessions led by non-Chicago speakers are followed by a working dinner.  Two students each time will attend the dinners, at our expense, and all faculty attendees are welcome to join any dinner, at their own expense.

The general format of the workshop is that readings (around 50-60 pages) will be distributed at least a week in advance.  (PRESENTERS SHOULD SEND THE READINGS TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE, PLEASE, TO LORRIE WEHRS, at (lragland@law.uchicago.edu).   All should come to the session having done the readings.  The presenter will open with a brief (5-10 minute) introduction; then Hosein and Nussbaum will pose prepared questions (i.e. questions that the presenter has heard and pondered), and the presenter will respond to those questions.  For the rest of the two hours, discussion will be open to the floor.   Priority will be given to student questions.

Note to prospective students: This workshop/seminar (called Workshop in the Law School and Seminar elsewhere, in keeping with what it is and what those terms mean in different places) enrolls around 10 students, by permission of the instructors.  Applications are due by September 20; they should be sent by e mail to both Nussbaum (Martha_Nussbaum@law.uchicago.edu) and Hosein adam.hosein@gmail.com. Applications should describe your background in law, philosophy, and anything else that you judge pertinent to the theme.  Students must attend all sessions, and write either one long 20-25 page paper at the end of the whole year.  But no credit will be given unless the person attends the seminar throughout the whole year.