Lecture on Victor Hugo’s thought: justice, progress, and mercy
Known as one of the great literary voices of the nineteenth century, Victor Hugo was also a powerful thinker on law, punishment and society. In his work, questions of guilt, responsibility and compassion are never simple. Justice is not only about rules or sentences, but also about the human being behind them.
This lecture, given by Arthur Willemse, focuses on three central themes in Victor Hugo’s thought: justice, progress, and mercy.
Hugo believed deeply in the possibility of human improvement, while remaining acutely aware of social injustice and moral failure. His work raises enduring questions: What does true justice look like? Can law be compassionate? And how do we balance punishment with mercy?
The lecture is especially relevant for students, researchers, legal professionals, and anyone interested in literature, law, history, or social justice. It offers a thought-provoking introduction to Hugo’s ideas and shows how his reflections on responsibility, punishment, and humanity still speak to contemporary debates in law, culture, and society.
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Available spaces: 13/ 13
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