Author Archives: F. E. Guerra-Pujol

We summed up H.L.A. Hart’s standard criteria of legal validity in our previous post as follows: (a) external convergence, and (b) internal acceptance. That is, a norm is a legal norm when two essential conditions are met: most public officials … Continue reading →

During the month of June, I attended a series of seminars in Paris on the theme of legal realism. The seminars were led by Brian Leiter, a professor of jurisprudence at the University of Chicago. One of the big ideas … Continue reading →

As our memorable sojourn in Paris comes to a close, we are reminded of these immortal words of Ernest Hemingway: “There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of each person who has lived in it differs from … Continue reading →

The self-described “errant economist” Thomas Schelling once illustrated his idea of a “focal point” with the following coordination game: Tomorrow you have to meet some friends in New York City, but you have no way of communicating with them. Where … Continue reading →

My wife Sydjia and I are back in the City of Love. Pictured below is one small section of the I Love You Wall, which is located in a small garden (the Square Jehan-Rictus) in the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris. … Continue reading →

The Republic of Ghana is making her debut appearance in this year’s Venice Biennale. Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, one of our favorite contemporary artists, is also one of several artists representing the West African nation. Below is a sample of her work:

Following up on my previous post, it turns out that one of the earliest manuals on the practice of dueling–“Il Duello” by Girolamo Muzio, a.k.a. Mutio Iustinopolitano, b.1496—d.1576–was published in Venice in 1550. I am unable to locate an English … Continue reading →

The Republic of Venice lasted for over 1000 years (726-1797 A.D.). Three things about “Old Venezia” continue to fascinate me: (1) How common were duels in Venice? (2) Why did such a small city-state have so many chapels, churches, and … Continue reading →