Reale graduated from the Law Faculty of the
University of São Paulo (1934), where he was professor (1941) and
rector (1949-1950, 1969-1973). In addition, he received the title of professor emeritus of the University of São Paulo. As a scholar, he became well known in
Latin America and in
Continental Europe for his works on
law and
philosophy. Was a prolific writer in the legal field, having written several classic works of Brazilian philosophical and legal thought. Among his works: Philosophy of Law and Preliminary Lessons of Law. Received notoriety when formulating the three-dimensional theory of law on which the law has three dimensions:
social fact,
value and
legal norm. Briefly, his theory can be understood as follows: "The social fact (
sociological aspect) is valued (
axiological aspect) and, due to this, it produces a legal standard." Thus, the three dimensions of law come into connection through a peculiar cultural
dialectic called "dialectic of polarity and implication." In 1969 he was appointed by President
Arthur da Costa e Silva for "High Level Commission" set up to review the 1967
Constitution. Resulted this work part of the text of
Constitutional Amendment No. 1, dated 17 October 1969, which consolidated the
military regime in Brazil. In 2002 Reale,
Ada Pellegrini Grinover,
Maria Helena Diniz and
Gofredo da Silva Teles Júnior actively participated in the important drafting of the Brazilian Civil Code. The project was sanctioned by President
Fernando Henrique Cardoso, becoming the Law 10.406/2002. He is considered the chief architect of Brazil's current
Civil Code. Miguel Reale had prominent role in the field of philosophy, occupying the following positions: Co-founder of the Brazilian Institute of Philosophy of Lisbon, Portugal. Organizing seven Brazilian Congresses of Philosophy (1950-2002) and the VIII
Inter-American Congress of Philosophy (Brasilia, 1972). Special Rapporteur on the XII, XIII and XIV
World Congress of Philosophy (Venice, 1958, and Mexico City, 1963, and Vienna, 1968). Lecturer specially invited by the
International Federation of Philosophical Societies for the XVI and XVIII World Congress (Düsseldorf, Germany, 1978, and Brighton, UK, 1988). Organizer and president of the II Brazilian Congress of Legal and Social Philosophy (
São Paulo, 1986) and the third and fourth Congresses (
João Pessoa,
Paraíba, 1988/1990). ==References==