Seminar

Moral Foundations of Law

The James Madison Program, Princeton University
July 24-28, 2023

This is a one-week seminar for current law students, graduate students who are studying jurisprudence in related fields (e.g., political science, philosophy), and recent graduates still early in their careers. Under the direction of Professor Gerard V. Bradley of Notre Dame Law School, the seminar covers some of the most contested areas of inquiry in legal philosophy today, including legal positivism, practical reason, human good and positive law, morals legislation, pluralism, crime and punishment, property, and rights and duties. The seminar is designed as an intensive weeklong program investigating the relationship between sound norms of critical morality and civil law. Seminar discussions will examine key contemporary legal debates, such as religious freedom and conscience, beginning and end of life issues, and marriage legislation. Sponsored for the last dozen years by the Witherspoon Institute, this seminar is now sponsored by the James Madison Program.

The seminar will be held off-campus at the Chauncey Conference Center where participants will be housed for the duration of the program. Opportunities will be available to visit historic Princeton and the campus.

Current law students, graduate students who are studying jurisprudence in related fields (e.g., political science, philosophy), and recent graduates still early in their careers are encouraged to apply.

Faculty:
Gerard V. Bradley, Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame Law School
John M. Finnis, Professor Emeritus of Law & Legal Philosophy, University of Oxford; Biolchini Family Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Notre Dame Law School
Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program, Princeton University
Adam MacLeod, Professor of Law, Jones School of Law, Faulkner University

Program Fee: $250 (includes course materials)

Applications are now closed. Please email us at jmadison@princeton.edu(link sends e-mail) if you have questions.