Philosophy of Law
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce students to the fundamental philosophical-juridical concepts, to the main philosophical theories and to the state of the art of contemporary philosophical-juridical discussion, and to favor the acquisition of awareness of the philosophical dimension of many legal problems.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will have learned the fundamental elements of the contemporary philosophical-juridical discussion; will have reached the ability to develop an appropriate philosophical-legal analysis of the issues; will be aware, thanks to the discussion in the classroom, of the need to use a rigorous language and an adequate ability for argumentation in the presentation of problems; will have aknowledged the need for a methodologically correct approach to the law.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Surname A-C
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
"What do the law of the Babylonians have in common with the law in force today in the United States of America? What do the social order of a tribe dominated by a despotic leader and the constitution of the Swiss Republic have in common?" The course will start from these provocative questions of the jurist and philosopher of law Hans Kelsen to introduce the student to a reflection on the nature of law and legal science.
The lessons are aimed at both students enrolled in the degree course in Law and students enrolled in the Humanities degree courses.
The lessons are aimed at both students enrolled in the degree course in Law and students enrolled in the Humanities degree courses.
Prerequisites for admission
None. Changes in course must be authorized by both teachers involved, with a request to be made after the start of the course and within the first two weeks of the course.
Teaching methods
Classroom-taught lessons with PPT and presentations by students.
Attandance is optional and strongly recommended.
Attandance is optional and strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
For attending students:
1. Amedeo Giovanni Conte/Paolo Di Lucia/Luigi Ferrajoli/Mario Jori, Filosofia del diritto. Seconda edizione ampliata: Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2013.
The parts of the book to be studied will be indicated in class.
2. Hans Kelsen, Che cos'è la giustizia? Lezioni americane. Macerata, Quodlibet, 2021.
The parts of the book to be studied will be indicated in class.
3. Paolo Di Lucia e Lorenzo Passerini Glazel, Hans Kelsen. Giustizia, diritto e realtà sociale. Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
For non attending students:
1. Amedeo Giovanni Conte/Paolo Di Lucia/Luigi Ferrajoli/Mario Jori, Filosofia del diritto. Seconda edizione ampliata: Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2013.
Study of the Introduction to the volume (pp. 3-7) and the following twelve essays is mandatory (please follow the order given):
a) Language and juristic concepts
1. Adolf Reinach, I fondamenti a priori del diritto (pp. 23-37)
2. Wesley N. Hohfeld, Concetti giuridici fondamentali (pp. 39-50)
b) The phenomenon of law
3. Eugen Ehrlich, Sociologia del diritto (pp. 51-60)
4. Jerome N. Frank, Realismo giuridico (pp. 101-108)
5. Hans Kelsen, Dottrina pura del diritto (pp. 115-132)
6. Alf Ross, Norme giuridiche e regole degli scacchi (pp. 265-280)
7. Antonio Pigliaru, La vendetta barbaricina (pp. 321-328)
c) Justice
8. Giorgio Del Vecchio, La giustizia (pp. 61-78)
9. Chaïm Perelman, La giustizia formale (pp. 141-158)
10. Norberto Bobbio, Formalismo giuridico e formalismo etico (pp. 233-252)
11. Cesare Goretti, L'animale quale soggetto di diritto (pp. 89-99)
12. Miguel Reale, La pena di morte e la non-esperienza della morte (pp. 355-368)
2. Hans Kelsen, Che cos'è la giustizia? Lezioni americane. Macerata, Quodlibet, 2021.
3. Paolo Di Lucia e Lorenzo Passerini Glazel, Hans Kelsen. Giustizia, diritto e realtà sociale. Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
As an alternative to text No. 3, non-attending students may choose one of the following texts:
4. Norberto Bobbio, L'indirizzo fenomenologico nella filosofia sociale e giuridica. Torino, Giappichelli, 2018.
5. Uberto Scarpelli, Al di qua della siepe. Scritti di filosofia del diritto. Pisa, ETS, 2024.
5. Uberto Scarpelli, Al di qua della siepe. Saggi di filosofia del diritto. Pisa, ETS, 2024.
1. Amedeo Giovanni Conte/Paolo Di Lucia/Luigi Ferrajoli/Mario Jori, Filosofia del diritto. Seconda edizione ampliata: Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2013.
The parts of the book to be studied will be indicated in class.
2. Hans Kelsen, Che cos'è la giustizia? Lezioni americane. Macerata, Quodlibet, 2021.
The parts of the book to be studied will be indicated in class.
3. Paolo Di Lucia e Lorenzo Passerini Glazel, Hans Kelsen. Giustizia, diritto e realtà sociale. Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
For non attending students:
1. Amedeo Giovanni Conte/Paolo Di Lucia/Luigi Ferrajoli/Mario Jori, Filosofia del diritto. Seconda edizione ampliata: Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2013.
Study of the Introduction to the volume (pp. 3-7) and the following twelve essays is mandatory (please follow the order given):
a) Language and juristic concepts
1. Adolf Reinach, I fondamenti a priori del diritto (pp. 23-37)
2. Wesley N. Hohfeld, Concetti giuridici fondamentali (pp. 39-50)
b) The phenomenon of law
3. Eugen Ehrlich, Sociologia del diritto (pp. 51-60)
4. Jerome N. Frank, Realismo giuridico (pp. 101-108)
5. Hans Kelsen, Dottrina pura del diritto (pp. 115-132)
6. Alf Ross, Norme giuridiche e regole degli scacchi (pp. 265-280)
7. Antonio Pigliaru, La vendetta barbaricina (pp. 321-328)
c) Justice
8. Giorgio Del Vecchio, La giustizia (pp. 61-78)
9. Chaïm Perelman, La giustizia formale (pp. 141-158)
10. Norberto Bobbio, Formalismo giuridico e formalismo etico (pp. 233-252)
11. Cesare Goretti, L'animale quale soggetto di diritto (pp. 89-99)
12. Miguel Reale, La pena di morte e la non-esperienza della morte (pp. 355-368)
2. Hans Kelsen, Che cos'è la giustizia? Lezioni americane. Macerata, Quodlibet, 2021.
3. Paolo Di Lucia e Lorenzo Passerini Glazel, Hans Kelsen. Giustizia, diritto e realtà sociale. Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
As an alternative to text No. 3, non-attending students may choose one of the following texts:
4. Norberto Bobbio, L'indirizzo fenomenologico nella filosofia sociale e giuridica. Torino, Giappichelli, 2018.
5. Uberto Scarpelli, Al di qua della siepe. Scritti di filosofia del diritto. Pisa, ETS, 2024.
5. Uberto Scarpelli, Al di qua della siepe. Saggi di filosofia del diritto. Pisa, ETS, 2024.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam, with evaluation expressed in thirties plus possible praise. Evaluation criteria: knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the subject and ability to develop critical reasoning about the subject content.
IUS/20 - PHILOSOPHY OF LAW - University credits: 9
Lessons: 63 hours
Professor:
Di Lucia Paolo Umberto Maria
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Di Lucia Paolo Umberto MariaSurname D-L
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Legal philosophy as "meta-jurisprudence".
The concept of law vs. the conceptions of law.
Legal concepts.
Law and coercion.
The legal norm.
The legal interpretation.
Legal systems.
Legal rules and legal principles.
Justice and legality.
The relationship between law and morals.
The problems of legislation.
The concept of law vs. the conceptions of law.
Legal concepts.
Law and coercion.
The legal norm.
The legal interpretation.
Legal systems.
Legal rules and legal principles.
Justice and legality.
The relationship between law and morals.
The problems of legislation.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific prerequisites.
Chair changes must be authorized by both teachers involved, upon request to be made after the start of the course and within the first two weeks of the course.
Chair changes must be authorized by both teachers involved, upon request to be made after the start of the course and within the first two weeks of the course.
Teaching methods
Lessons with the aid of PowerPoint presentations and frequent interaction and discussions with students (who will be invited to express their observations and argue for and against different positions).
Attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.
Attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
For attending students:
1. M. Ricciardi, A. Rossetti, V. Velluzzi (eds.), "Filosofia del diritto. Norme, concetti, argomenti", Carocci, 2015, ch. 4, 6, 7, 10, 11.
2. R. Guastini, "Filosofia del diritto positivo. Lezioni", ed. V. Velluzzi, Giappichelli, 2017, pp. 1-66, 93-172.
3. Didactic materials to be uploaded on the ariel website of the course.
For non-attending students:
1. R. Guastini, "Filosofia del diritto positivo. Lezioni", ed. V. Velluzzi, Giappichelli, 2017, escluse le pp. 269-283 (cap VI della parte III); pp. 287-306 (cap. I della parte IV).
2. A. Schiavello, V. Velluzzi (eds.), "Percorsi del positivismo giuridico. Hart, Kelsen, Ross, Scarpelli", Giappichelli, 2022.
Students from Scienze dei servizi giuridici:
R. Guastini, "Il diritto come linguaggio. Lezioni", II ed., Giappichelli, 2006 (except ch. VI and VII of the Third Part).
1. M. Ricciardi, A. Rossetti, V. Velluzzi (eds.), "Filosofia del diritto. Norme, concetti, argomenti", Carocci, 2015, ch. 4, 6, 7, 10, 11.
2. R. Guastini, "Filosofia del diritto positivo. Lezioni", ed. V. Velluzzi, Giappichelli, 2017, pp. 1-66, 93-172.
3. Didactic materials to be uploaded on the ariel website of the course.
For non-attending students:
1. R. Guastini, "Filosofia del diritto positivo. Lezioni", ed. V. Velluzzi, Giappichelli, 2017, escluse le pp. 269-283 (cap VI della parte III); pp. 287-306 (cap. I della parte IV).
2. A. Schiavello, V. Velluzzi (eds.), "Percorsi del positivismo giuridico. Hart, Kelsen, Ross, Scarpelli", Giappichelli, 2022.
Students from Scienze dei servizi giuridici:
R. Guastini, "Il diritto come linguaggio. Lezioni", II ed., Giappichelli, 2006 (except ch. VI and VII of the Third Part).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam, with notes on a scale of 30 plus possible cum laude.
The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories of the subject, the ability to organize this knowledge discursively, the ability to develop a critical reasoning on the contents of the subject, the command of the relevant contents and appropriate terminology.
The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories of the subject, the ability to organize this knowledge discursively, the ability to develop a critical reasoning on the contents of the subject, the command of the relevant contents and appropriate terminology.
IUS/20 - PHILOSOPHY OF LAW - University credits: 9
Lessons: 63 hours
Professor:
Ferraro Francesco
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Ferraro FrancescoSurname M-Q
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The teaching program provides for the presentation and discussion of the following topics:
The concept of law.
Conceptions of law.
Legal concepts.
Law and language.
Law and force.
The legal norm.
The concept of legal obligation
The legal interpretation.
Legal systems.
The relationship between law and morals.
The concept of law.
Conceptions of law.
Legal concepts.
Law and language.
Law and force.
The legal norm.
The concept of legal obligation
The legal interpretation.
Legal systems.
The relationship between law and morals.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific prerequisites.
Chair changes must be authorized by both teachers involved, upon request to be made after the start of the course and within the first two weeks of the course.
Chair changes must be authorized by both teachers involved, upon request to be made after the start of the course and within the first two weeks of the course.
Teaching methods
The teaching includes lectures with strong student involvement.
Attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.
Attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
1. HLA Hart, Il concetto di diritto, Torino, Einaudi, 2002 (except cap. X);
2. Didactic materials available on myariel (https://myariel.unimi.it/)
Not attending students:
1. R. Guastini, Filosofia del diritto positivo, Giappichelli, Torino, 2017, except: pp. 269-283 (chap. VI part III); pp. 287-306 (chap. I part IV).
2. A. Schiavello, V. Velluzzi (eds.), Percorsi del positivismo giuridico, Giappichelli, 2022.
Students from Scienze dei servizi giuridici:
R. Guastini, Il diritto come linguaggio, Giappichelli, Torino, II ed., except chapters VI and VII of the 3rd part.
1. HLA Hart, Il concetto di diritto, Torino, Einaudi, 2002 (except cap. X);
2. Didactic materials available on myariel (https://myariel.unimi.it/)
Not attending students:
1. R. Guastini, Filosofia del diritto positivo, Giappichelli, Torino, 2017, except: pp. 269-283 (chap. VI part III); pp. 287-306 (chap. I part IV).
2. A. Schiavello, V. Velluzzi (eds.), Percorsi del positivismo giuridico, Giappichelli, 2022.
Students from Scienze dei servizi giuridici:
R. Guastini, Il diritto come linguaggio, Giappichelli, Torino, II ed., except chapters VI and VII of the 3rd part.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam, with evaluation expressed in thirtieths plus possible praise.
For people who attend the course, it is possible to carry out one ongoing partial verification.
The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories of the subject, the ability to organize this knowledge discursively, the ability to develop a critical reasoning on the contents of the subject, the quality of the exposure and the lexicon used.
For people who attend the course, it is possible to carry out one ongoing partial verification.
The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories of the subject, the ability to organize this knowledge discursively, the ability to develop a critical reasoning on the contents of the subject, the quality of the exposure and the lexicon used.
IUS/20 - PHILOSOPHY OF LAW - University credits: 9
Lessons: 63 hours
Professor:
Poggi Francesca
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Poggi FrancescaSurname R-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
1. The philosophy of law after the Second World War: (i) H.L.A. Hart, natural rights and legal positivism
2. The philosophy of law after World War II: (ii) Lon Fuller and the morality of law
3. Perplexities of legal theory: Hart and the clarification of the concept of law
4. A theoretical proposal: John Austin and imperativism
5. Variety of imperatives
6. Law as coercive orders
7. The variety of legal rules (i)
8. The variety of legal rules (ii)
9. The variety of legal rules (iii)
10. Sovereignty and subject (s)
11. Sovereignty and subject (ii)
12. Sovereignty and subject (iii)
13. Law as a union of primary and secondary rules (i)
14. Law as a union of primary and secondary rules (ii)
15. Law as a union of primary and secondary rules (iii)
16. Foundations of a legal system (i)
17. Foundations of a legal system (ii)
18. Foundations of a legal system (iii)
19. Formalism and skepticism about rules (i)
20. Formalism and skepticism about rules (ii)
21. Dworkin vs. Hart: Rules, Principles and judicial Discretion
22. Justice and morality (i)
23. Justice and morality (ii)
24. Justice and morality (iii)
25. Law and morals (i)
26. Law and morals (ii)
27. Law and morals (iii)
28. A problematic case: international law.
29. Hart and Rawls: Justice as Fairness
30. Rawls on the Moral Obligation to Obey the Law
31. Rawls on the Justification of Civil Disobedience
2. The philosophy of law after World War II: (ii) Lon Fuller and the morality of law
3. Perplexities of legal theory: Hart and the clarification of the concept of law
4. A theoretical proposal: John Austin and imperativism
5. Variety of imperatives
6. Law as coercive orders
7. The variety of legal rules (i)
8. The variety of legal rules (ii)
9. The variety of legal rules (iii)
10. Sovereignty and subject (s)
11. Sovereignty and subject (ii)
12. Sovereignty and subject (iii)
13. Law as a union of primary and secondary rules (i)
14. Law as a union of primary and secondary rules (ii)
15. Law as a union of primary and secondary rules (iii)
16. Foundations of a legal system (i)
17. Foundations of a legal system (ii)
18. Foundations of a legal system (iii)
19. Formalism and skepticism about rules (i)
20. Formalism and skepticism about rules (ii)
21. Dworkin vs. Hart: Rules, Principles and judicial Discretion
22. Justice and morality (i)
23. Justice and morality (ii)
24. Justice and morality (iii)
25. Law and morals (i)
26. Law and morals (ii)
27. Law and morals (iii)
28. A problematic case: international law.
29. Hart and Rawls: Justice as Fairness
30. Rawls on the Moral Obligation to Obey the Law
31. Rawls on the Justification of Civil Disobedience
Prerequisites for admission
Being a first year, first semester exam, there are no specific prerequisites other than those required for access to the degree course.
Chair changes must be authorized by both teachers involved, upon request to be made after the start of the course and within the first two weeks of the course.
Chair changes must be authorized by both teachers involved, upon request to be made after the start of the course and within the first two weeks of the course.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures with strong student involvement, in the form of group discussions initiated by the teacher or by the students themselves.
Attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.
Attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Bibliography
H.L.A. Hart, The Concept of Law, Second Edition, Clarendon Press, Oxford 1994
John Rawls, A Theory of Justice, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (Mass.) 1971, Chapters I and VI
Ronald Dworkin, Taking Rights Seriously, Duckworth, London 1977, Chapters II, V and VII
H.L.A. Hart, The Concept of Law, Second Edition, Clarendon Press, Oxford 1994
John Rawls, A Theory of Justice, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (Mass.) 1971, Chapters I and VI
Ronald Dworkin, Taking Rights Seriously, Duckworth, London 1977, Chapters II, V and VII
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam, with evaluation expressed in thirtieths plus possible praise.
For people who attend the course, it is possible to carry out ongoing verification.
The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories of the subject, the ability to organize this knowledge discursively, the ability to develop a critical reasoning on the contents of the subject, the quality of the exposure and the lexicon used.
For people who attend the course, it is possible to carry out ongoing verification.
The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories of the subject, the ability to organize this knowledge discursively, the ability to develop a critical reasoning on the contents of the subject, the quality of the exposure and the lexicon used.
IUS/20 - PHILOSOPHY OF LAW - University credits: 9
Lessons: 63 hours
Professor:
Ricciardi Mario
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Ricciardi Mario