CfP International Journal for the Semiotics of Law Special Issue--"Public Vices, Poor Laws, and the Deterioration of Character"

 

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I am delighted to pass along this Call for Papers" for a special issue of the International Journal for the Semiotics of Law. Edited by Amalia Amaya Navarro (Edinburgh University) and  Tomasz Widłak (University of Gdańsk), the Special Issue theme is "Public Vices, Poor Laws, and the Deterioration of Character" posits a quite intriguing inversion:

Virtue jurisprudence is interested in exploring the relationship between legislation's aims and promoting good character traits. On the other hand, this Special Issue delves into “vice jurisprudence”, examining how laws crafted with malevolent intent can pollute law and legal language and corrupt public and private morality. We invite scholars to explore the characteristics and impacts of such laws, questioning their validity and the resulting civic vices they may foster. By adopting a virtue-oriented perspective, this issue seeks to illuminate whether malicious legislation contradicts the essence of law and its systemic properties, considering the influence of lawmakers’ character on the legal process. We welcome papers that critically engage with these themes and propose innovative frameworks for understanding and addressing the morality of law through the lens of vice. Join us in this crucial exploration to redefine the boundaries between virtuous and vicious legislation and its implications for legal systems.

Deadlines:
Abstracts of 300 words by 15 February 2025
After selection, final papers (no more than 15,000 words) should be submitted by 31 October 2025