Robert Alexy's philosophy of law as system

Abstract

The works of Robert Alexy span across a wide range of fundamental topics: the theory of legal argumentation, the concept and the validity of the law, and the theory of constitutional rights. In this article, I explicate in detail how the various elements of Alexy's theory of law are connected coherently and systematically. After an overview of Alexy's three main works, I lay down three main overarching ideas that inspire all Alexy's work: the special case thesis, the claim to correctness, and the possibility of rational legal argumentation. Next, I analyse the relations and interconnections between all three works. Lastly, I focus on the system of Alexy's work as a whole, its essential elements, its approach and character. On the whole, my article provides new insights into the clarity and depth of Alexy's system.