Philosophical Ethics of Law & Science

Catalog description

Truth is the ideal of a universal understanding that is capable of making a synthesis of our knowledge in all domains. Truth always hovers on the horizon of our desire for knowledge. Verm et unum convertunter? truth and unity are convertible notions. (citation omitted). Though in this unity of truth we place our hope of understanding the full range of the human condition, the pursuit of truth cannot be understood without realizing that our knowledge is composed of a multiplicity of different levels or spheres of truth, not only in the quantitative, but also in the qualitative sense. There is the truth of familiar world around us; there is truth of positive science; there is the truth pursued by philosophy and law; and there is the distinct truth that our Faith allows us to touch and cherish. In this course, we engaged in thinking and rethinking about this synthesis of unity with the hope of edging nearer a better understanding of human existence and the reconciliation of faith and reason. In this special sense, we understand that Faith makes use of reason...Fides quarens intellectum...faith which seeks understanding. These principles are explored in context with an examination of several very challenging moral and legal questions that touch upon our faith traditions, jurisprudential values, and scientific advances in the natural and social sciences. Prerequisite: FORE 101.