Wisdom Not My Own: Rules, Principles, and the Teaching of Law

Osler, Mark William

doi:10.2139/ssrn.1952011

Abstract

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Wisdom Not My Own: Rules, Principles, and the Teaching of Law

Mark William Osler

University of St. Thomas - School of Law (Minnesota)

October 31, 2011

Abstract:
Is it possible to not only give our law students knowledge, but the hope for wisdom?

This short essay argues that such a project is not only possible but desirable. We want wisdom (the ability to make principled choices) from those in the vocation of law, after all, especially in roles such as judge or prosecutor. The key to teaching towards wisdom is to allow students to work not only with rules but principles, and to model the sacrifice required to follow principle in our own public lives as law teachers.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 13

Keywords: Wisdom, principles, criminal law, law teaching, legal education

JEL Classification: K14, K19

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Date posted: October 31, 2011 ; Last revised: December 31, 2012

Suggested Citation

Osler, Mark William, Wisdom Not My Own: Rules, Principles, and the Teaching of Law (October 31, 2011). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1952011 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1952011

Contact Information

Mark William Osler (Contact Author)

University of St. Thomas - School of Law (Minnesota) ( email )

MSL 400, 1000 La Salle Avenue
Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 55403-2005
United States
(254) 717-7032 (Phone)