Legal integrity as moral virtue

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-6746.2025.1.47222

Keywords:

Integrity, Virtue Ethics, Legal Interpretation.

Abstract

: I argue that the best interpretation of legal integrity is to consider it as a moral virtue, in the most robust sense of the concept. I take Ronald Dworkin's reflections on integrity as a basis, especially in Law’s Empire, whose approach is one of the most prestigious in contemporary legal philosophy. From this, I clarify how the moral value of legal integrity finds a strong correlation with the neo-Aristotelian reflection on virtues. Finally, I discuss the theoretical and practical consequences and advantages achieved by this understanding of integrity.

Keywords: Integrity; virtue ethics; legal interpretation.

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Author Biography

Vinícius de Souza Faggion, State University of Minas Gerais (UEMG), Guanhães, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

PhD in Law from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Master in Legal Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). Specialist in Human Rights from the São Luís Faculty of Education (FESL). Bachelor of Laws from the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP). Professor at the State University of Minas Gerais.

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Published

2025-07-10

How to Cite

de Souza Faggion, V. (2025). Legal integrity as moral virtue. Veritas (Porto Alegre), 70(1), e47222. https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-6746.2025.1.47222

Issue

Vol. 70 No. 1 (2025): Single Volume - Continuous flow

Section

Ethics and Political Philosophy

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