This book grows out of a major British Academy Symposium held in 2007 to mark the centenary of the birth of H. L. A. Hart, the most important legal philosopher and one of the most important political philosophers of the twentieth century. The book brings together contributions from eighteen of the world's foremost legal and political philosophers — Antony Duff, Cécile Fabre, John Finnis, John Gardner, Leslie Green, Brad Hooker, David Lyons, Sir Neil MacCormick, Susan Mendus, Philip Pettit, Gerald Postema, Alan Ryan, Hillel Steiner, Judith Jarvis Thomson, Jeremy Waldron, Wilfrid Waluchow, Leif ... More

This book grows out of a major British Academy Symposium held in 2007 to mark the centenary of the birth of H. L. A. Hart, the most important legal philosopher and one of the most important political philosophers of the twentieth century. The book brings together contributions from eighteen of the world's foremost legal and political philosophers — Antony Duff, Cécile Fabre, John Finnis, John Gardner, Leslie Green, Brad Hooker, David Lyons, Sir Neil MacCormick, Susan Mendus, Philip Pettit, Gerald Postema, Alan Ryan, Hillel Steiner, Judith Jarvis Thomson, Jeremy Waldron, Wilfrid Waluchow, Leif Wenar, and Richard Wright — who explore the many areas of philosophy in which Hart produced important writings. As the title of the volume suggests, the contributors train their scrutiny more on Hart's legacy than on the man himself. Though most of them discuss his work extensively, each of them is especially concerned to engage in original analyses of philosophical problems that were tackled by Hart. All the main topics of his philosophical writings are covered: (1) general jurisprudence and legal positivism; (2) criminal responsibility and punishment; (3) theories of rights; (4) theories of justice; (5) causation in the law; and (6) toleration and liberty. As was evident from the strikingly cosmopolitan character of the audience at the British Academy Symposium, Hart's legacy is a matter of importance for legal and political and moral philosophers throughout the world. The present volume will stand as a landmark in the exploration of the fascinating philosophical issues on which that legacy is focused.