THE PARADIGM OF LEGAL INTEGRITY IN RONALD DWORKIN'S THOUGHT: A RECONSTRUCTION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAW, MORALITY, AND SUBSTANTIVE JUSTICE
Keywords:
Ronald Dworkin; Law as Integrity; Legal Integrity; Morality; Substantive Justice.Abstract
This study examines the paradigm of legal integrity in Ronald Dworkin’s thought by reconstructing the relationship between law, morality, and substantive justice. The study is motivated by the persistence of legal formalism and positivistic approaches that tend to separate law from moral values, resulting in legal practices that often fail to fulfill society’s sense of justice. Employing normative legal research with conceptual and philosophical approaches, this study analyzes Ronald Dworkin’s critique of legal positivism and his concept of “Law as Integrity.” The findings reveal that, according to Dworkin, law is not merely a system of formal rules but also encompasses moral principles that provide justification for legal interpretation and decision-making. Through the concept of “Law as Integrity,” Dworkin views law as a coherent and integrated system that must be interpreted consistently with principles of justice, equality, and respect for individual rights. The study further demonstrates that reconstructing the relationship between law and morality is essential to realizing substantive justice and developing a legal system that is responsive to social dynamics and human values. In the Indonesian context, Dworkin’s thought offers a philosophical foundation for promoting a progressive legal order that balances legal certainty, justice, and societal welfare
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