Browse the Media Archive
Symposium: Stanford Levinson - Legal Realism - the Return of the Oppressed
Created 4 October 1980; Published 30 May 2008
Stanford Levinson gives a talk during the "The Authority of Experts" Symposium held in Fall 1980. His talk is entitled "Legal Realism - The Return of the Oppressed."
- MP3 Audio (48.74 MB, 1 hr. 10 min. 29 sec., progressive download)
Not seeing the file? Get Flash. Flash video player by Jeroen Wijering
Transcript
The Authority of Experts Symposium
Stanford Levinson - "Legal Realism - The Return of the Oppressed"
October 4, 1980 at 9:00 am
What legitimizes professional authority? This question is the topic of the Symposium. Levinson begins with this question and begins to answer it by discussing the historical roots of legal studies and science, tracing the gradual evolution of these institutions into the legal science we know today. He discusses for a long time the question of whether playing football builds character and how this applies to the legitimacy of the legal profession.
Levinson talks at length about the philosophical basis of legal studies and why it matters in human society, as well as why in the world one would want to go to law school. Levinson draws heavily upon the philosophical writings of Langdell (sp?), frequently referring back to his perspectives in the course of his talk. Levinson also makes similar references to another such legal theorist, one Felix Frankfurter. Levinson's talk is mainly structured around discussion of the theoretical and philosophical bases for legitimacy of legal professionals. He emphasizes the need for increased opportunities for interdisciplinary studies in law school.
With the rise of Hitler in Nazi Germany, Levinson says, there came a need for a restructuring of legal philosophy and a need for departure from "random arguing" in light of the newly elevated levels of political oppression. Levinson talks about several specific cases and their implications for American's legal system, including Roe v. Wade.
(The recording becomes noticeably lower in quality at about 38 minutes. There is also a break of a few seconds at around 53:30. It is somewhat difficult to understand the recording which is why further information is not given in this transcript.)
Some rights reserved. Carleton College licenses this work under the Creative Commons Attribution/Non-commercial/Share-alike 3.0 License.
Other Items
- Created 26 May 1989; Published 19 June 2006Honors Convocation: Roy Elveton - Core, Conflict or Conversation
Dean Roy Elveton speaks on higher education core curriculum. The convocation speech is entitled "Core, Conflict or Conversation."
- Created 27 May 1988; Published 19 June 2006Honors Convocation
President Lewis addresses the convocation.
- Created 23 October 1987; Published 17 February 2006Honors Convocation: Stephen Lewis
President Lewis addresses the convocation.
- Created 23 October 1987; Published 21 May 2008Inaugural Convocation: President Stephen Lewis - Uncomfortable Learning
President Lewis speaks about the value of the liberal arts college in providing a challenging learning environment at his inaugural convocation.
- Created 29 May 1987; Published 19 June 2006Honors Convocation: Michael Zuckert
Profssor Michael Zuckert addresses the honors convocation.
- Created 12 September 1986; Published 19 June 2006Opening Convocation: David Porter - Of Cycles and Strangers
Interim President David Porter speaks about the academic year of 1986-87. He talks about the cycles of each academic year and how despite the repetition, there is always something different to look forward to.
- Created 14 June 1986; Published 17 February 2006Forum - What to Look for in a College President
Board of Trustees holds a forum to discuss the College's priorities in selecting the next president, due to the leave of President Bob Edwards.
- Created 23 May 1986; Published 19 June 2006Honors Convocation 1986: Robert Edwards
President Robert Edwards delivers his farewell address.
- Created 24 May 1985; Published 19 June 2006Honors Convocation 1985
The convocation speaker considers the various ways in which closures are considered in different academic disciplines and in daily life.
- Created 27 May 1983; Published 19 June 2006Honors Convocation: David Appleyard
David Appleyard speaks about the high standard of individual conduct at Carleton.
- Created 4 June 1982; Published 6 October 2008Apache Corporation Dinner
A dinner is held in honor of Raymond Plank of the Apache Corporation and the professorship he has given Carleton. Also honored is the Plank Professort of Economics, Robert Will. Speakers include Raymond Plank, Bob Will, College President Bob Edwards, Governor Al Quie, and philosopher Michael Novak.
- Created 8 January 1982; Published 30 April 2008Convocation: Martha Paas - Fear of Flying
Economics Professor Martha Paas speaks about demographic changes and their effects on the economy and risk-taking behavior. The convocation speech is entitled "Fear of Flying."
- Created 16 October 1981; Published 3 November 2008Richard Barnet convocation: The Dangers of Nuclear War
Richard Barnet speaks about the policy surrounding the nuclear arms race and the dangers of a potential nuclear war. This speech is the opening to a large project by Carleton to educate its students and the community about nuclear war.
- Created 9 January 1981; Published 17 February 2006Convocation: Ralph Fjelstad - The Decline of Political Parties
- Created 4 October 1980; Published 30 May 2008Symposium: Stanford Levinson - Legal Realism - the Return of the Oppressed
Stanford Levinson gives a talk during the "The Authority of Experts" Symposium held in Fall 1980. His talk is entitled "Legal Realism - The Return of the Oppressed."