Concept of the Good and the Fair Cover Image

Понятие за добро и справедливо
Concept of the Good and the Fair

Linguistic and Legal Aspects

Author(s): Maria Kostova
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Applied Linguistics, Roman law
Published by: Пловдивски университет »Паисий Хилендарски«
Keywords: Celsus; law; ars; ius; definition; lexemes; bonum; aequum
Summary/Abstract: Ius est ars boni et aequi (Dig. 1,1,1). The famous definition of the Roman jurist Celsus still amazes legal scholars, legal historians, linguists, and philosophers. If we consider the definition without much elaboration and specification of meaning - law is the art of the good and fair – such a statement could be perceived as mere rhetoric with an ethical focus. I venture to offer the following more specific understanding of the meaning of Celsus's definition: Law is the skill of right evaluation of facts (expediency) and impartial justice. I join those scholars who believe that the definition Ius est ars boni et aequi is a definition of the function and meaning of law during Roman antiquity.