Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the students with the conceptual means and the knowledge of theoretical issues concerning legal reasoning and legal interpretation. <br />
Prerequisites
The students must have passed Philosophy of Law.
Course unit content
<p>Hermeneutics as a philosophical method; The “exemplary significance” of legal hermeneutics; Law as an interpretative practice; Goals and boundaries of legal interpretation; Application and justification; Preunderstanding, reasoning, decision; Legal interpretation and sources of law; Legal interpretation and legal validity; Specificity of legal discourse; Logic of normative propositions; Theories of legal reasoning; Legal certainty; Legal interpretation and Rule of law; Legal interpretation from legal positivism to “new constitutionalism”; Law and practical reason.</p>
Bibliography
<p>Attending students: </p>
<p>Texts analysed during the lessons (Ch.L.S. Montesquieu, C. Beccaria, H.G. Gadamer, A. Kaufmann, H. Kelsen, J. Frank, H.L.A. Hart., R. Dworkin, G. Tarello, E. Betti, Ch. Perelman - L. Olbrechts Tyteca, R. Alexy, N. MacCormick).<br />
</p>
<p>Non attending students:</p>
<p>F. VIOLA, G. ZACCARIA, Diritto e interpretazione. Lineamenti di teoria ermeneutica del diritto, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2004, pp. 105-408.</p>
Teaching methods
Oral lesson and oral exam.