Objectivity in the fields of law and ethics

Author: Brian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: Do legal issues have objectively correct answers? Can judicial decisions remain objective when legal disputes present moral dilemmas? Such questions concerning objectivity are at the heart of modern legal theory debates. Since the 1970s, meta-ethics has formed connections with fundamental issues in legal philosophy, and this collection brings together the rich philosophical literature in this field. The collection includes seven original essays written by some of the world's leading moral and legal philosophers. These essays introduce complex philosophical perspectives on the objectivity of legal interpretation and judicial decision-making. They explore the relationship between moral objectivity and legal objectivity within the traditions of positive and natural law, and present various constructive and critical approaches to fundamental questions about moral objectivity. One of the key issues discussed is the "field-specificity" of the concept of objectivity, namely whether there is an objectivity concept suitable for moral norms that is distinct in type from the objectivity concepts used in scientific and other fields.