The Legacy of Ronald Dworkin

Book excerpt: This book comprises sixteen papers selected from the 2014 McMaster University Philosophy of Law Conference (lawconf.mcmaster.ca) on the legacy of Ronald Dworkin (lawconf.mcmaster.ca). These pieces touch upon many aspects of Ronald Dworkin?s wide-ranging contributions to philosophy and jurisprudence, including his theory of value, political philosophy, moral philosophy, philosophy of international law, and legal philosophy. The book?s organizing principle and theme reflects Dworkin?s self-conception as a builder of a unified theory of value. Part I addresses the most abstract and general aspect of Dworkin?s work?the unity of value thesis. Part II comprises works that address themes from Dworkin?s political philosophy, including his discussions of authority, civil disobedience, the legitimacy of states and the international legal system, distributive justice, collective responsibility, and Dworkin?s master value of dignity and the associated values of equality, and respect. Part III addresses various aspects of Dworkin?s general theory of law. Part IV comprises pieces that offer accounts of the structure and defining values of discrete areas of law, including constitutional law, the law of contract, and procedural law.