What makes law : an introduction to the philosophy of law

cover image

Where to find it

Davis Library (6th floor)

Call Number
K231 .M88 2014
Status
Available

Law Library — 3rd Floor Collection (3rd floor)

Call Number
K231 .M875 2014
Status
Available

Authors, etc.

Names:

Summary

This book offers an advanced introduction to central questions in legal philosophy. What factors determine the content of the law in force? What makes a normative system a legal system? How does law beyond the state differ from domestic law? What kind of moral force does law have? The most important existing views are introduced, but the aim is not to survey the existing literature. Rather, this book introduces the subject by stepping back from the fray to sketch the big picture, to show just what is at stake in these old debates. Legal philosophy has become somewhat arid and inward looking. In part this is because the disagreement between the main camps on the important questions is apparently intractable. The main aim of the book is to suggest both a diagnosis and a proper practical response to this situation of intractable disagreement about questions that do matter.

Contents

  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Morality and the grounds of law
  • 3 Legal positivism
  • 4 Nonpositivism
  • 5 Disagreement in practical philosophy
  • 6 Law
  • 7 The normative force of law
  • 8 What makes law law?: law beyond the state
  • 9 Conclusion: what matters?

Subjects

Subject Headings A:

Other details