Single Idea 23524

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 2. The Law / a. Legal system]

Full Idea

An official report [of 1957] on homosexuality declared that 'there must remain a realm of private morality and immorality which is, in brief and crude terms, not the law's business'.

Gist of Idea

Some private moral issues are no concern of the law

Source

H.L.A. Hart (Law,Liberty and Morality [1963], I 'Conspiracy')

Book Reference

Hart,H.L.A.: 'Law,Liberty and Morality' [OUP 1968], p.14


A Reaction

We might wonder whether these issues are actually moral, if the law is not interested in them. Are they just a matter of taste? The law doesn't enforce a preference for Mozart over Salieri.