Theory of Justice
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce students to the theoretical foundations of the idea of justice by identifying and discussing its main conceptions and legal rules.
The aim is to offer a general theoretical framework within which to deal with more specific issues that affect the moral assessment of legal rules and public choices, and the decisions to be taken in dilemmas.
The lessons will seek to encourage discussion in the classroom, also in order to contribute to the improvement of the students' abilities.
The aim is to offer a general theoretical framework within which to deal with more specific issues that affect the moral assessment of legal rules and public choices, and the decisions to be taken in dilemmas.
The lessons will seek to encourage discussion in the classroom, also in order to contribute to the improvement of the students' abilities.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have taken over the contents of the course, will have developed adequate argumentative skills at a philosophical and juridical level and will have acquired appropriate competences to favor the continuation of studies with a deeper awareness of the philosophical dimension of some legal problems.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1. The Polis and Justice
2. Solon
3. Plato I
4. Plato II
5. Plato III
6. Aristotle I
7. Aristotle II
8. Aristotle III
9. Christianity and Justice
10. Ancient and modern conceptions of Justice.
11. The Enlightenment critique of traditional morality
12. Public happiness and distributive justice
13. Helvetius and Beccaria I
14. Helvetius and Beccaria II
15. Kant and the foundation of the metaphysics of morals
16. Kant and the right to equal freedom I
17. Kant and the right to equal freedom I
18. Bentham and utilitarianism
19. Utilitarianism, acts and institutions.
20. Hart on natural rights.
21. The origins of the idea of justice as fairness.
22. John Rawls
23. John Rawls
24. Ronald Dworkin and Rawls' theory.
25. Robert Nozick: Distributive Justice
26. Robert Nozick: Distributive Justice
27. G.A. Cohen and Robert Nozick
28. R.M. Hare: Utilitarianism and justice I
29. R.M. Hare: Utilitarianism and Justice II
30. Conclusions
2. Solon
3. Plato I
4. Plato II
5. Plato III
6. Aristotle I
7. Aristotle II
8. Aristotle III
9. Christianity and Justice
10. Ancient and modern conceptions of Justice.
11. The Enlightenment critique of traditional morality
12. Public happiness and distributive justice
13. Helvetius and Beccaria I
14. Helvetius and Beccaria II
15. Kant and the foundation of the metaphysics of morals
16. Kant and the right to equal freedom I
17. Kant and the right to equal freedom I
18. Bentham and utilitarianism
19. Utilitarianism, acts and institutions.
20. Hart on natural rights.
21. The origins of the idea of justice as fairness.
22. John Rawls
23. John Rawls
24. Ronald Dworkin and Rawls' theory.
25. Robert Nozick: Distributive Justice
26. Robert Nozick: Distributive Justice
27. G.A. Cohen and Robert Nozick
28. R.M. Hare: Utilitarianism and justice I
29. R.M. Hare: Utilitarianism and Justice II
30. Conclusions
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures with strong student involvement, in the form of group discussions initiated by the teacher or by the students themselves.
Attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.
Attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
The required readings are excerpts from the works and essays written by the following authors: Plato, Aristotle, Helvetius, Beccaria, Kant, Bentham, H.L.A Hart, John Rawls, Ronald Dworkin, Robert Nozick, G.A. Cohen and R.M. Hare.
The English materials will be available through the website Ariel on request.
The English materials will be available through the website Ariel on request.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam, with evaluation expressed in thirtieths with the possibility of laude.
For people who attend the course, it is possible to carry out ongoing verification.
The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories of the subject, the ability to organize this knowledge discursively, the ability to develop a critical reasoning on the contents of the subject, the quality of the exposure and the lexicon used.
For people who attend the course, it is possible to carry out ongoing verification.
The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the fundamental concepts and theories of the subject, the ability to organize this knowledge discursively, the ability to develop a critical reasoning on the contents of the subject, the quality of the exposure and the lexicon used.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
IUS/20 - PHILOSOPHY OF LAW - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Ricciardi Mario
Parte C
IUS/20 - PHILOSOPHY OF LAW - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Ricciardi Mario
Professor(s)