1. What is LAW?

2. Jurisprudence Study of law and legal philosophy
Attempts to answer the question “What is the law?”
Should law be created by government to control people?
Should people create laws to control the government?
How does law continually evolve?
Can you think of laws you strongly disagree with?

3. Rules vs. Laws
Rules = formal rules/regulations, not necessarily made by the government
Laws = rules/regulations made & enforced by government
“Rule of Law” = rules be known in advance and be created in a democratic process

4. Laws and Values not everything that is immoral is illegal
a legal system is influenced by traditional ideas of right and wrong in a society
Fundamental Problem:
Goals of Law conflict with our Values as a society
Our Laws our the foundation of our democracy
7 Goals of Our Legal System:
1. protect human rights
2. promote fairness
3. help resolve conflicts
4. promote order/stability
5. promote desirable social/economic behavior
6. represent will of majority
7. protect the rights of minorities

5. Examples of Controversial Laws
The Patriot Act
Affirmative Action
Euthanasia Legislation here in Michigan (Jack Kevorkian) (State)
Guantanamo Bay…President Obama is closing it down!
Gun Rights (State)
Marijuana (State)
Death Penalty (State)

6. What Laws Must Do… Balance, Balance, Balance!!!!!….
Rights vs. Responsibilities
Will of Majority vs. The Right of Minority
Need for Order vs. Human Rights

7. Preview of Our First Case Study
The Case of The Shipwrecked Sailors:
Is the letter of the law concrete?
Do circumstances come into play?
Demonstrates the importance of Jurisprudence…