French Literature Reviews - 2026
Y. Lemoine, J.-P. Mignard, Le Défi d'Antigone. Promenade parmi des figures du droit naturel
Philosophy, Anthropology and Ideas
Le Défi d'Antigone : Promenade parmi des figures du droit naturel
Yves Lemoine, Jean-Pierre Mignard
Natural law
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/13 PUBLISHER: Michel de Maule ISBN: 978-2-87623-461-1 EAN: 9782876234611 FORMAT: Paperback NO. OF PAGES: 188 p.
Yves Lemoine and Jean-Pierre Mignard examine the origins of Law in our societies, the major traditions from which it derives, and its intellectual evolution in the West.
While their journey involves studying prominent figures such as Francisco de Vitoria, Erasmus, Thomas More, Portalis, Abbé Grégoire, William Wilberforce, and René Cassin, their inquiry into Athens and Rome initiates a reflection on legal humanism. They explore the idea that Law refers to a higher state of Being and that natural law underpins our life in society.
"Le Défi d’Antigone" warns against the danger of training young jurists to be legal merchants rather than true jurisconsults: remember where you come from… And remember where you are going…
Yves Lemoine, magistrate and historian, has published numerous works, most recently Fernand Braudel, ambition et inquiétude d’un historien (2010) with Michel de Maule.
Jean-Pierre Mignard, Doctor of Law, attorney, and lecturer at Sciences-Po Paris, is the founder of Lysias Partners. He published Sûreté nucléaire, droit et gouvernance mondiale (2012) with Bruylant.
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An article about this book can be read on the nonfiction.fr website:
The concept of natural law has long served as a foundational pillar in Western jurisprudence, positing that legal systems should align with inherent moral principles or a higher state of being. Le Défi d'Antigone examines the origins of law, the major traditions from which it derives, and its intellectual evolution in the West. The authors explore the idea that natural law underpins life in society and reflect on the distinction between technical legal practice and the role of the jurisconsult.
The book discusses figures such as Francisco de Vitoria, Erasmus, Thomas More, Portalis, Abbé Grégoire, William Wilberforce, and René Cassin to illustrate the development of legal traditions. It includes a reflection on the training of jurists and the importance of legal history. Readers interested in the history of natural law may find this work relevant.