95676 - History of the Philosophy of Law (1)

Learning outcomes

This Course aims to provide students with basic ideas, works and thinkers of the philosophy of law. From an historical perspective, the Course focuses on specific themes and problems in relation to long-term philosophical traditions. Furthermore it offers actualizing readings of main issues of contemporary practical philosophy, models of justice, concepts of law, different and plural forms of power.

Course contents

Justice as Fairness: Analysis and Critique of a Theory of Democracy

The course aims to explore the concept of justice in the thought of John Rawls, one of the most influential practical philosophers of the contemporary era.

With A Theory of Justice, published in 1971, Rawls marked a decisive turning point, contributing to the revival of political, moral, and legal philosophy in a normative perspective. His neo-contractarian approach, deeply influenced by the Kantian tradition, has exerted an extraordinary and still enduring impact on contemporary philosophical debate.

The continuing relevance of Rawls’s thought is reflected not only in the ongoing critical engagement with his work, but also in the theoretical and social significance of the objections it has inspired. At the same time, a number of contemporary reinterpretations have expanded its scope and applications, demonstrating the enduring capacity of Rawlsian theory to address the challenges of justice in modern democratic societies.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Textbooks:

John Rawls, Una teoria della giustizia, ed. by Sebastiano Maffettone, Feltrinelli, Milan 2008, selected parts: pp. 1-135 (chap. 1-3)

Nicola Riva, John Rawls, Raffaello Cortina, Milan 2025

 

One critical essay among the following:

Ian Carter (ed.), L’idea di eguaglianza, Feltrinelli, Milan 2001, selected parts

Michael Sandel, Il liberalismo e i limiti della giustizia, Feltrinelli, Milan 1994, selected parts

Susan M. Okin, Le donne e la giustizia. La famiglia come problema politico, Dedalo, Bari 1999, selected parts

 

One literary text chosen among the following (any edition, provided it is unabridged):

Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, Mondadori, Milan 2004

Valeria Parrella, Almarina, Einaudi, Turin 2019

Donatella Di Pietranonio, L’Arminuta, Einaudi, Turin 2017

Michela Murgia, Il mondo deve sapere. Romanzo tragicomico di una telefonista precaria, Einaudi, Turin 2006

Carlo Levi, Cristo si è fermato a Eboli, Einaudi, Turin 2025

Leonardo Sciascia, Le rocche di Regalpetra, Adelphi, Milano 2016

 


For non-attending students, we recommend consulting the following text:

Will Kymlicka, Introduzione alla filosofia politica contemporanea, Feltrinelli, Milan 2000, chap. 1-3

 

Class schedule:

Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Aula I - via Zamboni, n. 38;Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Aula IV - via Zamboni, n. 38.

Beginning of the Course: I Semester - 11.11.2026

Reception hours:
From 9 September 2026, the reception of students will be held at 3pm every Wednesday, unless otherwise indicated in the Notices on the lecturer's webpage.
The reception is always without appointment;
it is also possible online by calling directly via teams. At the end of the in-person meetings, all those who have called (not written chat) will be contacted again by the lecturer.
It is advisable to always consult the lecturer's notices before going to the department. Occasionally other teaching or institutional commitments result in changes.

Teaching methods

§Lectures, seminars and discussion on bioethical themes.

Interdisciplinary seminars will be hold by experts working in the field.

§In-depth seminars on course topics.

§Lessons will be recorded (but not necessary in real time) and made available by accessing ad hoc virtual teams-classroom. Access is possible through the unibo institutional credentials at the link present from September on the virtual materials of the Course.

Assessment methods

Final oral examination consisting of questions based on the required course readings. The examination takes place in the instructor’s office (Room 5.01, Via Zamboni 38).

Examinations cannot be taken outside the officially scheduled examination sessions (typically one per month).

Assessment will be based on students’ knowledge of the fundamental concepts, the depth of their understanding of the course material, and their critical thinking skills.

Evaluating criteria:

Expertise; practical reasoning ability; critical competence.

On the basis of these three main parameters it will be formalised in an evaluation expressed in thirtieths, which may vary according to the full range of available grades.

Notes:

18-21/30 basic level

22-25/30 moderate level

26-28/30 good level

29-30/30 excellent level.

Exam sessions
During the 2025/2026 academic year, (for all students) exam sessions are scheduled in the following months (please note that the examination can be taken by both attending and non-attending students once the last lecture of the course has been held):

9.09.2026 h 3 p.m.

10.28.2026 h 11 a.m.

12.16.2026 h 11 a.m.

1.13.2027 h 11 a.m.

2.09.2027 h 11 a.m.

3.10.2027 h 11 a.m.

5.05.2027 h 11 a.m.

6.09.2027 h 11 a.m.

7.07.2027 h 11 a.m.

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders have the right to special adjustments according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the instructor but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adjustments. For more information, visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

It is recommended that students contact the University office in advance. Any proposed adjustments must be submitted at least 15 days in advance for the instructor’s approval, who will evaluate their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

USEFUL LINKS:

https://plato.stanford.edu/

https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/elenco-opere/Enciclopedia_delle_scienze_sociali/

https://sol.unibo.it/SebinaOpac/resource/handbook-of-the-history-of-the-philosophy-of-law-and-social-philosophy/UBO09270796?tabDoc=tabcontiene

 

Office hours

See the website of Marina Lalatta Costerbosa