Internal legal positivism in the light of natural law: images and objections of natural law in contemporary analytical jurisprudence

Abstract

Abstract: This article focuses on the use of the term and the concept “natural law theory” in Cristina Redondo’s book Positivismo jurídico “interno”. The article notes how Redondo’s analysis of natural law theory is lacking in that the idea she attributes to that theory of reducing legal norms to moral norms is absent in true “natural law theory”. For this theory there are two ways of deriving positive law from natural law, which Redondo does not account for. Furthermore, her understanding ommits the reality that according to natural law theory unjust laws are laws. Finally, this article tries to show posible ways in which Redondo’s theory may be compatible with natural law theory.