Jason Samuel as Judge Poser

Spring 2006

Next semester, I am taking:

1. Criminal Procedure
2. State and Local Government
3. Constitutional Law
4. Securities Regulations
5. Research, Writing, and Advocacy

Sola Scriptura

Bill, The Maverick Philosopher, has posted something on the Protestant doctrine of sola scriptura.  The post reminded me of when I had a deep interest in Catholic apologetics.  My Protestant friends marshal this doctrine as if it's the end-all when really, as Bill shows, it's self-refuting.

Directed Research

I've already registered for next semester, but I will be adding one hour of directed research.  My plan is to complete one-credit hour for the next three semesters I am here, which will hopefully amount to something publishable.  Though I will have to present my topic officially soon, I am still brainstorming.  As of now I have an interest in the differing conceptions of natural law, specifically the differences between John Finnis and Alasdair MacIntyre.  I also have a deepening interest in "rights-talk," such as the human rights project at the international level or the right to/of privacy at our national level.  I haven't yet explored ways to approach this second interest more than highlighting the debate taking place between accommodationists, who say we should secularize the Catholic intellectual tradition's contribution in this area, and those who say that same intellectual tradition is untranslatable to a secular vocabulary.  Some might even say that even if it were translatable to a secular vocabulary, it would be a neutered one, one without a foundation. Where shall I go from here?