“This work by Humberto Souza Santos is thoroughly informative. Reading it places the reader at the forefront of a complex contemporary debate—a fact that, in a scientifically peripheral context like Brazil’s, would justify its publication in its own right. Yet, the work does not merely repeat the ideas of others. The author develops his own understanding of the concept of a ‘protected legal interest’ (*bem jurídico*), situating it within the second of three stages of a legitimacy filter for penal norms. The first stage requires analyzing whether the prohibited conduct falls outside the imponderable and inviolable sphere of autonomy; the third requires determining whether there is a sufficient causal link between the prohibited conduct and the protected legal interest. Finally, the author does not remain within the abstract realm of theory; instead, adopting a courageously practical approach, he addresses concrete realities by dedicating the fourth and final chapter to an analysis of problematic criminal offenses in Brazilian law. This is indisputably an original (and thought-provoking) contribution to a debate that many believe to be exhausted.” (Excerpts from the preface by Luís Greco)
- Publisher: Marcial Pons, Rio de Janeiro/RJ
- Edition: 1ª (2020)
- Year of publication: 2020
- Number of pages: 310
