A Thomistic Analysis of the Hart-Fuller Debate

In 1958, the Harvard Law Review published a now-famous debate between H. L. A. Hart and Lon Fuller regarding the proposed connection between law and morality. Whereas Hart defended a broadly positivist conception of law, Fuller advanced a kind of natural law theory that has greatly influenced judici...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Koritansky, Peter Karl 1974- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: [publisher not identified] [2015]
In: Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association
Year: 2015, Volume: 89, Pages: 277-286
IxTheo Classification:KAE Church history 900-1300; high Middle Ages
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
KBQ North America
KDB Roman Catholic Church
NCA Ethics
XA Law
Further subjects:B Ethics
B Positivism
B Natural Law
B THOMAS, Aquinas, Saint, ca. 1225-1274
B LAW reviews
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:In 1958, the Harvard Law Review published a now-famous debate between H. L. A. Hart and Lon Fuller regarding the proposed connection between law and morality. Whereas Hart defended a broadly positivist conception of law, Fuller advanced a kind of natural law theory that has greatly influenced judicial interpretation in the United States. This paper examines the debate and provides a commentary in light of the natural law theory of Thomas Aquinas. Whereas it is not surprising that Aquinas would reject the central tenets of Hart's positivism, it also appears he would have deep misgivings about the position defended by Professor Fuller, and particularly Fuller's understanding of how laws should be interpreted in light of morality.
ISSN:2153-7925
Contains:Enthalten in: American Catholic Philosophical Association, Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.5840/acpaproc2016112150