Learning objectives
The course aims to develop students’ understanding of the theoretical problems which regard law, and to equip them with essential critical and argumentative tools and historical notions which reveal the reasons for and purposes of the development of law.
Prerequisites
The Philosophy of Law exam is preparatory for other exams in subjects relating to the IUS/20 scientific subject area.
Course unit content
<p> The course provides a historical and theoretical background to the philosophy of law, illustrating the topics and subjects which define the scientific and cultural heritage of the discipline. The course will necessarily address the following main core subjects: natural law; law and morality; the concept of validity; institutional traditions and modern constitutions; theories and methods of codification; legitimacy; rights; the normativism of Hans Kelsen; legal realism; new natural law doctrine; the positivism of H. L. A. Hart; theories of interpretation; theoretical legal problems related to contemporary developments. Authors and writings on recent thinking in continental European, British and American legal theory. Concepts of deontological ethics. </p>
Bibliography
Two programmes, A or B, can be followed. <br />
<br />
Programme A: <br />
1. S. CASTIGNONE, Introduzione alla filosofia del diritto, Bari, Laterza, latest edition (211 pages), or notes taken and materials received at lectures. <br />
Additionally, one of the following texts: <br />
2.a A. SCHIAVELLO, V. VELLUZZI, Il positivismo giuridico contemporaneo. Un'antologia, Torino, Giappichelli, latest edition, pp. 24-103 and pp. 136-206 (corresponding to writings by H. KELSEN, H.L.A. HART, A. ROSS, U. SCARPELLI, L. FULLER, R. DWORKIN). <br />
2.b Various authors, Filosofia del diritto. Concetti Fondamentali, edited by U. POMARICI, Torino, Giappichelli: the following sections only: Codice, Costituzione, Diritti, Giusnaturalismo, Sovranità (pp.150). <br />
<br />
Programme B: <br />
G.PALOMBELLA, Filosofia del diritto, Cedam, Padova (pp.13-379). <br />
Teaching methods
Classroom lectures and seminars. <br />
Oral exam. <br />
