This book contains contributions relating to the role of the General Theory of Law in our times. It is the result of the reflections of four Co-Authors, all dedicated to the field of Philosophy and General Theory of Law, who came together with the task of bringing the discussion on the subject up to date, which justifies the title of the work (General Theory of Law: new challenges, current issues and innovative approaches). The book offers readers a broad overview of the historical origins of the debate surrounding the formation of a General Theory of Law, with the aim of reflecting on its relevance today and its contemporary challenges. The book aims to engage in dialogue with numerous schools of thought that have already addressed this topic, and incorporate many debates, in order to raise the issue considering the major changes in culture and science in our times. In the field of Legal Science, the increasing of complexity, the multiplication of legal sources, the expansion of areas of law, the globalisation and internationalisation of legal sources, and the rescaling of debates on the meaning of justice are just some of the factors that should lead jurists to question the status of Legal Science and Legal Theory in our times. Ultimately, it contributes to a better understanding of the Science of Law and its qualities, as it brings together epistemological, philosophical, critical and semiotic approaches. The contributions contained in the book are original and, precisely for this reason, offer innovative perspectives, the impact of which is expected to enhance the quality of how the task of the current General Theory of Law is considered.
Eduardo C. B. Bittar is Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy and General Theory of Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of São Paulo (USP, Brazil). He was President of the National Human Rights Association (ANDHEP, 2009-2010). He was 2nd. Vice-President of the Brazilian Association of Philosophy of Law (ABRAFI - IVR/Brazil, 2009-2016). He was Visiting Professor at the Università di Bologna (2017), Visiting Professor at the Université Paris-Nanterre (2018), Visiting Researcher at the Collège de France (2019), Visiting Professor at the University of Coimbra (2023, 2024) and Visiting Researcher at the Université Paris Cité (2024, 2025). Member of the Association for Semiotic Studies (IASS/ AIS, 2026). Member of the Association Française de Sémiotique (AFS, 2025). He is a CNPq 1-B Researcher (2023-2026). He is Doctor Honoris Causa of the Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso (UFMT).
