College of San Mateo New Natural Law Theory Discussion Questions

Question 1

In the situation below, identify which theory of jurisprudence Juanita seems to follow.  Your answer must name and define the theory and explain why you choose believe you have the right answer.

Juanita walks her dog on a leash. She wishes that her dog could run free, but Juanita knows that a local ordinance requires all dogs to be on leashes. Juanita disagrees with the ordinance, but she walks her dog on a leash because the ordinance indicates that all dogs must be on leashes. Which theory of jurisprudence does Juanita follow?

Now, Imagine that Juanita does let her dog walk off leash because she believes she has the right to do whatever she wants with her pet since she is the owner and because she believes the universe created animals to be free and thus dogs she be able to run free. Which theory of jurisprudence does Juanita follow?

Question 2 Part 1

Imagine that you are an entrepreneur in California. What type of business would you open? Would you prefer to open this business in a land with or without a rule of law system? Why? In your answer, explain what the rule of law is.

Do you have to follow the laws of the state or of the federal government? Do you have to follow the laws of all three branches of the government?

Question 2 Part 2

If employers train their employees how to behave on the job, should those employers should be absolved from legal liability resulting from employees’ actions? For example, imagine that an employer provides training to its employees regarding how to avoid sexual harassment in the workplace, but an employee ignores the training and sexually harasses a colleague. Should the employer bear liability in that situation? Why or why not?