Cloak of Law on Stature of Morality: a critical view on Patrick Devlin's attitude toward legal enforcement of conventional morality

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate of Public Law, Allmeh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD Candidate of Public Law, Allmeh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran

3 Lecturer at Hafez Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz, Iran

4 Lecturer at Higher Education Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The relationship between morality and law is one of the issues that has provoked considerable controversies. Among others, an important discussion is whether obeying “conventional morality” in public and/or private spheres should be legally enforced by legislators. In this paper, we will look at the controversies over the issue of the “legal enforcement of morality” in the well-known debate between Herbert Hart and Patrick Devlin. In light of Richard Hare's moral philosophy, we will begin by distinguishing three realms of morality. We will then clarify Deviln's view on “conventional morality”, employing the terminology derived from Hare's moral philosophy. After elaborating the implications, consequences, and roots of “conventional morality” in Devlin's view, we will turn to the relation between law and “conventional morality”. Finally, we will criticize Devlin's approach and highlight our objections to his account. By showing the flaws of Devlin's conception of “conventional morality,” we will challenge her legal view of morals.

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References

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Journal of Philosophical Investigations
Volume 16, Issue 39 - Serial Number 39
Special Issue
Special Issue: Philosophy of Education (In Persian)
September 2022
Pages 514-532

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