A New Philosophy for International Law

• Published in: Philosophy & public affairs Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 2 - 30
• Main Author: DWORKIN, RONALD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2013; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Conceptualization; Epistemology. Philosophy of science. Theory of knowledge; International Law; Legal norms; Morality; Philosophical thought; Philosophy; Philosophy of law; Political philosophy; Sovereignty; Knowledge theory

As many philosophers have pointed out, there is mystery in the bare assumption that promising creates obligation. How can an individual change his moral situation just by speaking a runic phrase? If we want to explain why promises do create moral obligations, we must point to different, more basic m...