Legal Philosophy Course Outline by D. Z. Gasgonia ..

Main source: Readings in Legal Philosophy and Theory (Text and Comments from Plato to McDougal)
by Jorge R. Coquia, 2005 edition;
Supplemental source: Introduction to Legal Philosophy by Crisolito Pascual, 1997 revised edition.
I.

Introduction Coquia, pp. 1-2

A. Definition, Nature and Function: Philos and Logos love of wisdom; the study of the
universe that seeks to know the truth and the rational explanation of anything.
B. Function of Philosophy of Law and Jurisprudence Philosophy of law is a quest of law
which appeals to reason to obtain justice. It is opposed to tyranny.
o Brown, Beverly. MacCormick, Neil. Law, philosophy of (Overview),
Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy 1998: Accessed (May 19, 2015).
https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/law-philosophy-of
C. Critical Legal Realism Pascual, pp. 361-414
o rule of law, Cario vs. Insular Government, 7 Phil. 132 & 212 U.S. 449; cited
by Pascual, p. 377- 381
o judicial activism, Estrada vs. Desierto, G.R. Nos. 146710-15, 2 March 2001
D. Concept of Law from a Policy Science Perspective Pascual, pp. 491-494
o immediate comforts, Atok Big-Wedge Mining Co. Inc. vs. Atok Big-Wedge
Mutual Benefit Association, 92 Phil 754; cited by Pascual, p. 455

II.

History of the Philosophy of Law Coquia, pp. 3-7

A. Ancient Greek Philosophy - Socrates, Plato and Aristotle; see also Pascual, pp. 106 115
B. Ancient Roman Philosophy Cicero and the codification of law; see also Pascual, pp.
115 - 121
C. Legal Philosophy of the Medieval Era Christianity; see also Pascual, pp.
D. Legal Philosophy in the Renaissance overcome excessive dogmatism
E. The Philippine Folk Soul Pascual, pp. 81 - 92

III.

Historical School Coquia, pp. 8-13; Pascual, pp. 76-103

A. Friedrich Carl von Savigny Treatise on Possession; Jus Possessionis of the Civil Law
B. Paton

IV.

Seminal Concepts Coquia, pp. 14-65

A. Plato
1. Meno on Socrates by Plato about Virtue
2. Euthypro on Socrates by Plato about Prosecution
3. Maxwell, Max. Introduction to the Socratic Method and its Effect on Critical
Thinking www.socraticmethod,net
B. Aristotle
1. Politics Book One on Common Good
2. Politics Book Two on Ideal Life
C. Cicero
prudence United States vs. Holmes, 26 Fed. Cas. 300; cited by Pascual p.119 - 121
D. Immanuel Kant Categorical Imperative
E. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel Philosophy of Abstract Right

Legal Philosophy Course Outline by D. Z. Gasgonia ..2

V.

Positivist School Coquia, pp. 66-114

A. Austin
non-suability of the State Switzerland General Ins. Co, Ltd. vs. Republic of the
Philippines, 32 SCRA 227; cited by Pascual, p. 196
Hobbes-Austin concept, Pascual pp. 175 - 177
B. Hans Kelsen Pure Theory of Law
Pure Positive Law Response, Pascual pp. 178 190
o Lausanne Brand
o Vienna Brand: Purification of Positive Law; Normative Legal Order; Empirical
Justice
C. Jeremy Bentham Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation: philosophy
of human conduct

VI.

Functional School Coquia, pp. 115-150

A. Pound ; see also Pascual, pp. 372-373
Core of Functional Jurisprudence, Pascual pp. 208-216
B. Social Interests and National Policies Pascual pp. 226 234
principle of pari delicto, De Los Santos vs. Roman Catholic Church of Midsayap, G.R.
No. L-6088, 50 O.G. 1588; cited by Pascual, pp. 229 230
economic progress, Guido vs. Rural Progress Administration, 84 Phil 847; cited by
Pascual, p. 276
C. Contemporary Moral Sense Yu Singco vs. Republic of the Philippines, G.R. No. L6152, 50 O.G. 104; cited by Pascual, pp. 250 251

VII.

Realist School - Coquia, pp. 151-163

A. Holmes; see also Pascual, pp. 299-305
B. Buck vs. Bell, 274 U.S. 200, 71 L. Ed. 1000, 47 S. Ct. 584, cited by Pascual, pp.321-322
C. Abrams vs. United States, 250 U.S. 616, 65 L. Ed. 1173, 40 S. Ct. 17, cited by Pascual
pp. 326 327

VIII.

Communist Theory Coquia, pp. 164 173

A. Karl Marx The Communist Manifesto
B. Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov Lenin The Communist Experiment
C. Mikhail Gorbachev - Perestroika

IX.

Policy Science School Coquia, pp. 174 197

A. Lasswell and McDougal
B. Liberty Rubi vs. Provincial Board, 39 Phil 660; cited by Pascual, p. 459
C. Policy Science Jurisprudence, Pascual pp. 425 486
o Social Values: power, knowledge, respect, income, safety, liberty, equality

X.

Natural Law Coquia, pp. 198 245; Pascual pp. 36 - 69

A. St. Thomas Aquinas; see also Pascual, pp. 129 - 130
B. Universal Declaration of Human Rights Pascual pp. 41-42

Legal Philosophy Course Outline by D. Z. Gasgonia ..3

C. Philippine jurisprudence using Natural Law Luna vs. Intermediate Appellate Court, 137
SCRA 7; cited by Pascual, p. 56