: Modern scholars like W. Bradley Wendel argue that fidelity to law is necessary because it provides a common framework for settling disputes in a morally pluralistic society where people will never agree on everything .
Modern law is impossibly voluminous. No one can know all regulations. This leads to "selective enforcement," which undermines the sense that law applies equally to all. When enforcement is arbitrary, fidelity becomes irrational. fidelity to law meaning
Thinkers like Lon L. Fuller argue that true fidelity does not mean blindly following the literal text if it leads to absurd results. Instead, it requires interpreting the law in a way that fulfills its core purpose and maintains the coherence of the legal system. 2. Citizen Fidelity (The Duty to Obey) : Modern scholars like W
In legal philosophy, refers to the moral and professional commitment of individuals—particularly judges, lawyers, and citizens—to respect and uphold the authority of a legal system . Far from simple obedience to a set of rules, it is an ideal that links the existence of law to the moral purpose it serves in society. The Philosophical Roots: Lon Fuller vs. H.L.A. Hart No one can know all regulations
Another argument in favor of fidelity to law is that it helps to constrain the power of judges and other legal actors. When judges are required to adhere to the law, they are less likely to engage in arbitrary or discriminatory decision-making. This helps to protect individual rights and promote justice, as judges are forced to base their decisions on the law rather than their personal preferences or biases.
What about ordinary citizens? Does fidelity to law require absolute obedience? Most legal theorists say no. Fidelity acknowledges that no legal system is perfect. Citizens have a prima facie duty to obey law, but that duty can be overridden by compelling moral claims.
The ethical duty to follow laws even when inconvenient, based on the belief that the system is overall just.