Law and Freedom Put to the Test of Experience

A discussion on how law helps to realize, or suppress, freedom in the age of human rights proliferation, with Michael HANBY, Professor of Biotechnology and Culture, Pontifical John Paul II Institute, John McCARTHY, Dean of the School of Philosophy, Catholic University of America, and Lisa SCHILTZ, Professor of Law, Thomas J. Abood Research Scholar, University of St. Thomas.

What is the relationship between law, rights, and freedom? When is freedom realized by law? When is it, instead, suffocated or suppressed? The speakers will address these questions in light of the irreducible need for justice and freedom as they emerge in human experience. Does human experience reveal an objective yet inherently personal criteria that enables the individual (regardless of any social, cultural or religious background) to judge both the fairness of a rule and its ability to realize greater freedom? The discussion will relate to a recently published book titled “Elementary Experience and Law” in which four legal scholars apply an innovative take on the concept of “elementary experience” – which is at the basis of Msgr. Luigi Giussani’s fundamental work “The Religious Sense” – to the legal system and the issue of justice.

To read or download this free ebook, see the Notre Dame Working Papers page, or use the direct links below:

Books

“Elementary Experience and Law”
Andrea Simoncini, Lorenza Violini, Paolo Carozza, and Marta Cartabia. With a preface by Julian Carron.

Download the PDF version here.
Download the MOBI e-book file here (for Kindle users)
Download the EPUB e-book file here (For Nook users)