Ius, ius suum, res iusta: una crítica a la Introducción crítica de Hervada.

This article explores the so-called realistic theory of law and justice of the Spanish jurist Javier Hervada (1934-2020). Influenced by the Roman jurists and Thomas Aquinas, Hervada conceived law (ius) and right (derectum) as the right thing (res iusta). The article explains the Roman meaning of the word ius and the expressions ius suum and res iusta and it is concluded that falling into reductionism is a potential risk of this theory. The article also criticizes Hervada’s definition of lex as a rule or measure of law and right, and Hervada’s juridical approach to the idea of person. Ultimately, Hervada offers a theory of law based on the object of the virtue of justice. But law cannot be reduced to the object of a concrete virtue, nor can justice be only considered as a virtue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]