Jurisprudence Commons^™

The Paradox Of Ideology, Justin Schwartz

Justin Schwartz

A standard problem with the objectivity of social scientific theory in particular is that it is either self-referential, in which case it seems to undermine itself as ideology, or self-excepting, which seem pragmatically self-refuting. Using the example of Marx and his theory of ideology, I show how self-referential theories that include themselves in their scope of explanation can be objective. Ideology may be roughly defined as belief distorted by class interest. I show how Marx thought that natural science was informed by class interest but not therefore necessarily ideology. Capitalists have an interest in understanding the natural world (to a …

Functional Explanation And Metaphysical Individualism, Justin Schwartz

Justin Schwartz

A number of (present or former) analytical Marxists, such as Jon Elster, have argued that functional explanation has almost no place in the social sciences. (Although the discussion is framed in terms of a debate among analytical Marxists, the point is quite general, and Marxism is used for illustrative purposes.) Functional explanation accounts for what is to be explained by reference to its function; thus, sighted organism have eyes because eyes enable them to see. Elster and other critics of functional explanation argue that this pattern of explanation is inconsistent with "methodological individualism," the idea, as they understand it, that …

"A(Nother) Critique Of Pure Reason": Toward Civic Virtue In Legal Education, Angela P. Harris, Marjorie Shultz

Angela P Harris

No abstract provided.

Battered But Not Beaten: Women Who Kill In Self Defence, Ian D. Leader-Elliott Professor

Ian D Leader-Elliott Professor

This essay commences with a critical evaluation of the battered woman syndrome. It continues with an illustrative biographical fragment, before discussing the polemics of excuse and justification in American criminal law. The concluding section provides an account of the law of self defence and provocation in their application to defensive homicides against attack by an intimate aggressor. The argument of the essay is that Australian common law is capable of discriminating and compassionate justice, in cases of self defence against intimate aggressors and provocation by intimate aggressors. Recourse to the dubious theory that the victims of domestic violence are characterised …

"A(Nother) Critique Of Pure Reason": Toward Civic Virtue In Legal Education, Angela P. Harris, Marjorie Shultz

Marjorie M. Shultz

No abstract provided.

Conflict Of Laws In Canada: The Case For An Interpretive Approach, Shelley M. Kierstead

Shelley M. Kierstead

Transcending Community: Some Thoughts On Havel And Bergson, Brian Slattery

Brian Slattery

No abstract provided.