Norberto Bobbio, Hart’s benevolent critic

This essay examines the intellectual exchange between Norberto Bobbio and H.L.A. Hart, two major figures in 20th century philosophy of law. It begins with a reconstruction of their correspondence prior to the Bellagio Conference of 1965, and then focuses on the theoretical and linguistic issues raised in Hart's keynote address. The central debate on legal obligation is analysed in relation to the critiques of Giacomo Gavazzi and Bobbio himself. A second, more implicit debate is analysed in relation to Bobbio's writings on secondary rules. These contributions illustrate Bobbio's ongoing engagement with Hart's theory of law, even if Hart did not respond to them.