Law, Justice, and Freedom in Social Philosophy: An Examination of Hegel’s Philosophy of Law

Volume 13|Issue 50| Autumn 2024 |Theme of the Issue

Abstract

While Kantian readings have dominated contemporary political and legal philosophy for over half a century, this paper provides an analytical and critical examination of the concepts of law, justice, and freedom based on Hegel, considered the founder of modern legal philosophy. Although the connection between law, justice, and society has been a subject of political philosophy since Plato, the nature of this relationship today remains a topic of study and debate within Hegelian political and legal thought. This includes considerations of its structure, history, and particularly the implications for concepts of justice linked to freedom. This is evident in Marxism, as well as in the communitarian approach discussed by Charles Taylor, and in the social theory presented by contemporary critical theory as outlined by Axel Honneth. Therefore, this paper will first address criticisms directed at Hegel, then analyse elements of law, justice, and freedom in Hegel's legal philosophy, while outlining some features of the readings provided by social philosophy and contemporary Arab philosophical thought.

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Professor of Contemporary Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, Kuwait University.

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