Sir Neil MacCormick

Abstract

Professor Sir Neil MacCormick (1941-2009) was one of the world’s leading jurists. After studying philosophy and literature at the University of Glasgow, he went to Oxford to read jurisprudence under the guidance of HLA Hart. From 1972 until shortly before his death he was Regius Professor of Public Law and the Law of Nature and Nations at the University of Edinburgh. MacCormick established his formidable academic reputation through prolific contributions in the areas of legal, political, and social philosophy. His early work on legal positivism and formalism led to a major reworking of the themes of legality, constitutionalism, and the post-sovereign state. This was synthesized in four volumes published under the series title ‘Law, State, and Practical Reason’. In addition to his academic work, MacCormick was also a leading contributor to civic and political life, culminating in a period as a Member of the European Parliament representing Scotland for the Scottish National Party. This seminar will introduce some of the major ideas of MacCormick’s scholarly work. It will also discuss his legacy to the tradition of the “democratic intellect”, one in which pluralism, open enquiry, and reasoned debate were paramount virtues.