Reconstructing Fuller's Argument Against Legal Positivism

19 Pages Posted: 4 Apr 2013 Last revised: 23 Apr 2013

See all articles by Dan Priel

Dan Priel

York University - Osgoode Hall Law School

Date Written: April 3, 2013

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to offer a reconstruction of Lon Fuller’s critique of Hart’s legal positivism. I show that contrary to the claims of Fuller’s many critics, one can reconstruct from his work a clear and powerful argument against legal positivism, at least in the guise found in the work of H.L.A. Hart. The essence of the argument is that Fuller’s principles of legality posit that the same considerations that count for law’s excellence are relevant also for the determining what counts as law. I contrast this view with Hart’s legal positivism, which acknowledged that the principles of legality are relevant for law’s excellence, but considered them irrelevant for determining the question what counts as law. In contrast to Fuller’s view, this view looks arbitrary, and - a point on which I focus - completely undefended. And yet, despite the many years since Fuller presented his arguments against legal positivism, this argument has not been adequately answered. I conclude that even if Fuller’s arguments are answerable, they are yet to be answered.

Keywords: H.L.A. Hart, Lon L. Fuller, legal positivism, internal morality of law, jurisprudence

Suggested Citation

Priel, Dan, Reconstructing Fuller's Argument Against Legal Positivism (April 3, 2013). Canadian Journal of Law and Jurisprudence, Vol. 26, No. 2, 2013, Osgoode CLPE Research Paper No. 16/2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2244594

Dan Priel (Contact Author)

York University - Osgoode Hall Law School ( email )

4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
Canada

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