H. L. A. Hart | |
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| Born | Herbert Lionel Adolphus Hart 18 July 1907 Harrogate, England |
| Died | 19 December 1992 (aged 85) Oxford, England |
| Title | Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford (1973–1978) |
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| Alma mater | New College, Oxford |
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| Notable students | Peter Hacker |
| Notable works | The Concept of Law (1961) |
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Herbert Lionel Adolphus Hart FBA (/hɑːrt/; 18 July 1907 – 19 December 1992) was an English legal philosopher. One of the most influential legal theorists of the 20th century, he was instrumental in the development of the theory of legal positivism, which was popularised by his book, The Concept of Law.[2][3] Hart's contributions focused on the nature of law, the relationship between law and morality, and the analysis of legal rules and systems, introducing concepts such as the "rule of recognition" that have shaped modern legal thought.
Born in Harrogate, England, Hart received a first class honours degree in classical studies from New College, Oxford, before qualifying at the English bar. During World War II, Hart served in British intelligence, working with figures such as Alan Turing and Dick White. Following the war, Hart transitioned to academia, becoming Professor of Jurisprudence at the University of Oxford in 1952, a position he held until 1969.
In addition to his legal positivism, Hart engaged in important debates on the role of law in society, most famously with Patrick Devlin, Baron Devlin over the enforcement of morality through law, and with his successor at Oxford, Ronald Dworkin, on the nature of legal interpretation. Hart's influence extended beyond his own work, mentoring legal thinkers the likes of Joseph Raz, John Finnis, Ronald Dworkin.
- ^ Legal Positivism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
- ^ The Concept of Law (Clarendon Law) (Clarendon Law Series). Clarendon Law Series. ASIN 0199644705.. However, key ideas in the book have also received fundamental reiterated criticism. For a summary, see C. M. Campbell, "The Career of the Concept" in P. Leith and P. Ingram (eds.) The Jurisprudence of Orthodoxy. London, Routledge, 1988, 1-25.
- ^ Matthew H. Kramer and Claire Grant (2008). "Introduction", in Matthew H. Kramer, Claire Grant, Ben Colburn, and Anthony Hatzistavrou (ed.): The Legacy of H.L.A. Hart: Legal, Political and Moral Philosophy. Oxford/New York, Oxford University Press, xiii.