Comprehensive Study Notes on Legal Philosophy, Metaphysics, Ethics, and Natural Law

Conceptual Framework of Philosophy

  • Definition of Philosophy (José Ortega y Gasset):

    • Defined as the knowledge of the universe or of everything that exists (el conocimiento del universo o de todo cuanto hay).

  • Definition of Philosophy (Agustín Basave):

    • Defined as the methodical, rigorous, fundamental, and teleological knowledge of everything that exists through first causes and ultimate principles (el conocimiento metódico, riguroso, fundamental y teleológico de todo cuanto hay por causas primeras y principios últimos).
    • Key Structural Components of Basave's Definition:
    • Methodical and Rigorous: Operates through systematic, disciplined, and structured philosophical inquiry.
    • Fundamental and Teleological: Investigates basic foundational roots while examining purpose, ends, and finality.
    • First Causes and Ultimate Principles: Seeks to discover the primary origins and foundational truths governing reality.

Philosophy of Law and Legal Foundations

  • Philosophy of Law (Filosofía del Derecho):

    • Defined as the reflection or philosophical exercise applied to a specific cultural area, namely the legal or juridical domain (área cultural jurídica).
    • Applies philosophical scrutiny to legal rules and specific legal classifications, such as the crime of sexual harassment (delito por hostigamiento sexual).

  • Natural Law (Derecho Natural):

    • Defined as the necessary, eternal, and immutable foundation of the norms of positive law (derecho positivo).
    • Foundational Origins:
    • Cosmic Order: Grounded in the objective order of the cosmos (orden cósmico).
    • Divine Will: Grounded in the supreme intent or mandate of the divine (voluntad divina).
    • Universal Human Reason: Grounded in universal human reason (razón humana universal).

Metaphysical Principles: Essence and Nature

  • Essence (Esencia):

    • Directly answers the ontological question: "What is such a thing?" (¿Qué es tal cosa?).
    • Defined as that which makes a thing be what it is and not another thing (aquello que hace que una cosa sea eso y no otra cosa).

  • Nature (Naturaleza):

    • Defined as a principle of operations (principio de operaciones).
    • Characterized by having the potential (potencia) to actualize itself (actualizarse).

Classical Definitions of Justice, Ethics, and Morality

  • Justice (Ulpian / Ulpiano):

    • Defined according to Ulpian as the constant and perpetual will to give to each person their due or their own right (la constante y perpetua voluntad de darle a cada uno su derecho / propio).

  • Ethics (Ética):

    • First Definition (Royal Spanish Academy / Diccionario de la Real Academia): The set of moral norms that govern the conduct of individuals across any sphere or domain of life.
    • Second Definition (Philosophical Discipline): The discipline that has as its object of study value judgments when applied specifically to the distinction between good and evil.

  • Morality (Moral):

    • Relationship to Ethics: Can be understood and applied as a synonym for ethics.
    • Formal Definition: The science of the good and the rules governing human action (la ciencia del bien y las reglas de acción humana).