Legal Rhetoric and Philosophy

Beginning with a reading of the "History of an Error" (or of reason or of metaphysics), in Nietzsche’s Twilight of the Idols, as a history of jurisprudence, the seminar will examine how legal scholars have engaged with Nietzsche’s corpus and Heidegger’s critique of it. Every attempt will be made to bring students needing background in law or in Continental philosophy to a point of productive engagement across both fields!

Required and recommended readings will be selected from Nietzsche’s major works, Heidegger’s volumes on Nietzsche, and 21st-century books and articles by critical legal scholars. Active participation and paper required.