Professor Michael Dorf

Fall 2003, Tuesdays 4-5:50 p.m. in Jerome Greene Hall room 807

Seminar Description:  In recent years, an intellectually and politically diverse set of thinkers have advocated "pragmatic" approaches to constitutional interpretation and law more generally. This seminar will explore the roots of contemporary pragmatism in late nineteenth and early twentieth century American philosophy before asking what commitments various modern-day pragmatists share with one another and where they differ. To what extent does pragmatism entail consequentialism? Is pragmatism anti-theoretical or itself a theory? In advocating "what works," do pragmatists overlook the necessity of specifying ends by which success can be measured? Is pragmatism a legitimate interpretive methodology for unelected judges to employ? During the first eight weeks of the seminar, the reading for each class will consist of published articles and book excerpts. In the remaining weeks, discussion will focus on student drafts. During the course of the semester, each student will write a brief paper responding to an assigned article or book excerpt and a longer research paper.

For preliminary syllabus, click on the document icon below.