Law profs discuss legal theories

Twelve prestigious professors of law and philosophy met in the Law School on Friday as part of the University Law Review's annual symposium to discuss jurisprudential theory and criminal law. The professors discussed these issues regarding Law and Philosophy professor Michael Moore's groundbreaking book entitled Act And Crime. The focus of debate was to decide what actions should be considered crimes and how they should be punished, with an emphasis on the moral and philosophical implications of people's actions, said third year Law student Ari Burstein. "[The symposium] is an academic exercise in which top-notch, word-class scholars were given the opportunity to engage in high-level discussion and debate," said Burstein, the Law Review's articles editor. The 12 participants in the symposium were split into three panels. Each scholar presented a paper, and exchanges between panel members and professor Moore followed. Symposium organizers said Friday that Moore's work is revolutionary to criminal law and will affect academic studies in the future. "[Moore's book] is going to shake-up all of criminal law and action theory," said Burstein. "Anyone who will want to write a paper or debate about this topic is going to have to address Moore's book first." Moore described his book as "an attempt to spell out three act-related requirements for anyone to draft or interpret criminal code." "The aim of the symposium was to advance the understanding of the participants," he said. "Almost like giving legislation a second chance, it makes a more complete book." The symposium was arranged by the Articles office of the University's Law Review. "Our symposia just keep getting better and better," said third year Law student Megan Jacobson, editor-in-chief of the Law Review. "We've got tremendous thinkers in the fields of law and philosophy -- we're really excited." Burstein described the symposium as a "fine example of the Penn Law School's and Law Review's committment to excellence," and as a "jewel in Penn's crown." "You won't find a symposium of this caliber anywhere else," he added.