The Hart-Fuller Debate in Legal Theory: the relationship between Law and Morality analyzed through the lens of unjust legal regimes 

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63835/mg9fj526

Keywords:

Morality, Law, Penumbra, Principles, Nazism

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the debate between jurists H.L.A. Hart and Lon L. Fuller, two central figures in 20th-century legal philosophy. The discussion is situated in the post-World War II context, with particular emphasis on the challenges of the legal validity of immoral norms, such as those enacted under the Nazi regime. Building on this, the study investigates the feasibility of a legal system detached from morality and the theoretical and practical implications of such a separation. The methodology employed is qualitative in nature, with a hermeneutic and bibliographic focus. A critical and comparative analysis of the authors’ positions is also undertaken, paying special attention to key concepts such as the “rule of recognition,” “fidelity to law,” “internal morality of law,” and legal validity. The findings demonstrate that Hart defends a conceptual separation between Law and Morality, arguing that a legal system may remain valid even when unjust, if it adheres to formal rules. Fuller, by contrast, asserts that there exists an inherent morality within law, without which no true legal system can exist. The study concludes that, especially in contexts involving human rights violations, as seen in authoritarian legislation, morality cannot be excluded from legal analysis without risking the legitimization of arbitrariness.

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Author Biographies

  • Flávio Maria Leite Pinheiro, Universidade Estadual Vale do Acaraú (UVA)

    Doutor em Direito, com Pós-Doutorado pela UFSC.

    Mestre em Direito e em Filosofia.

    Professor efetivo do curso de Direito da UVA.

    Docente do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Filosofia da UVA.

    Líder do Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisa em Filosofia e Teoria Política e Social cadastrado no Diretório dos Grupos de Pesquisa do CNPq.

  • Matheus Alves da Rocha, Faculdade Uninassau Sobral

    Doutorando e Mestre em Direito pela UNISINOS-RS, onde foi bolsista pela CAPES- Programa de Excelência Acadêmica.

    Membro do grupo pesquisa DASEIN – Núcleo de Estudos Hermenêuticos coordenado pelo Prof. Lênio Streck.

  • Pedro Cruz Martins e Silva, Universidade Estadual Vale do Acaraú (UVA)

    Cursando Especialização em Direito Civil e Direito Processual Civil.

    Advogado (OAB/CE nº 38.595)

    Graduado em Direito pela UVA.

References

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BENTHAM, Jeremy. The Collected Works of Jeremy Bentham. 1ª ed. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1999.

FRIEDMANN, Wolfgang. Legal Theory. Londres: Steven and Sons Limited, 1960.

FULLER, Lon L. Human purpose and law. Cambrige, Journal of Philosophy, v. 53, 1958, p. 68-757.

FULLER, Lon L. Positivism and fidelity to Law: a reply to Professor Hart. Harvard Law Review, Cambridge, v. 71, n. 4, 1958, p. 630-672.

HART, H. L. A. Positivism and the separation of Law and Morals. Harvard Law Review, Cambridge, v. 71, n. 4, 1958, p. 593-629.

HART, H. L. A. The concept of Law. Nova Iorque: Oxford University Press, 1961.

HOWE, Mark D. The Positivism of Mr. Justice Holmes. Cambrige, Harvard Law Review, v. 64, n. 4, fev. 1951, p. 529-546.

LACEY, Nicola. A life of H.L.A. Hart: the nightmare and the noble dream. Nova Iorque: Oxford University Press, 2006.

LLEWELLYN, Karl N. The Bramble Bush and our law and its study. Nova Iorque: Oceana Publications, 1930.

MEDEIROS, Andréia Neiva. Positivismo e o regime nacional-socialista: influências na ascensão e pós-queda do nazismo. São Paulo: Duc in Altum, 2025.

RADBRUCH, G. Statutory Lawlessness and Supra-Statutory Law. Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, Oxford, v. 26, n. 1, 2006, p. 1-11.

RADBRUCH, Gustav. A filosofia do Direito. 2. ed. São Paulo: Martins Fontes, 2010.

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Published

2025-03-31

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1, jan./mar. (1º trim) (2025)

Section

Artigos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Flávio Maria Leite Pinheiro, Me. Matheus Alves da Rocha, Pedro Cruz Martins e Silva (Autor)

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How to Cite

Leite Pinheiro, F. M., Alves da Rocha, M., & Cruz Martins e Silva, P. (2025). The Hart-Fuller Debate in Legal Theory: the relationship between Law and Morality analyzed through the lens of unjust legal regimes . Revista Juris Verdi, 2(1, jan./mar. (1º trim). https://doi.org/10.63835/mg9fj526