Francesco Viola (born 17 July 1942 in Alessandria, Italy) is a distinguished Italian legal philosopher and Emeritus Professor of Legal Philosophy at the University of Palermo, where he taught for more than three decades. He is internationally respected for his deep engagement with core problems in legal theory, interpretation, human rights, and the philosophical foundations of law.Università di Palermo+1
Viola began his academic career in the early 1970s and steadily established himself as a leading figure in Italian jurisprudential philosophy. He became a full professor of Legal Philosophy at the University of Palermo in 1986, after earlier appointments that included teaching General Theory of Law, Human Rights, and Legal Ethics.Università di Palermo Over the years, his teaching and research have shaped generations of scholars and jurists, emphasizing rigorous reflection on the nature of legal reasoning, the relationship between law and morality, and the role of authority in legal systems.Universidad de Navarra
Viola’s scholarship bridges analytical precision with broad philosophical inquiry. His work addresses fundamental questions about legal science, interpretation, and the concept of legal rule, often drawing on historical and contemporary sources to illuminate the interplay between law, morality, and society. He has published widely on topics such as natural law, multiculturalism, constitutionalism, and legal hermeneutics—making significant contributions to debates on how law can be understood as a rational and ethically grounded practice.Universidad de Navarra
Beyond his writings, Viola has served in influential editorial and leadership roles: he is co-editor of a major legal philosophy book series with Giappichelli Publishing, co-director of journals Ragion pratica and Ars Interpretandi focused on practical philosophy and legal hermeneutics, and from 2010 to 2014 served as President of the Italian Association for Legal Philosophy.Università di Palermo+1
His intellectual influence extends through international lectures and collaborations, particularly in Europe and Latin America, where his thoughtful integration of philosophical rigor and legal inquiry continues to shape contemporary jurisprudential discourse.Università di Palermo