Philosophy of Law - (Blackwell Philosophy Anthologies) by Larry May & Jeff Brown (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Philosophy of Law provides a rich overview of the diverse theoretical justifications for our legal rules, systems, and practices.

• Utilizes the work of both classical and contemporary philosophers to illuminate the relationship between law and morality
• Introduces students to the philosophical underpinnings of International Law and its increasing importance as we face globalization
• Features concrete examples in the form of cases significant to the evolution of law
• Contrasts Anglo-American law with foreign institutions and practices such as those in China, Japan, India, Ireland and Canada
• Incorporates diverse perspectives on the philosophy of law ranging from canonical material to feminist theory, critical theory, postmodernism, and critical race theory

From the Back Cover

Philosophy of Law provides a rich overview of the diverse theoretical justifications for our legal rules, systems, and practices. The volume introduces the classical questions of philosophy of law as well as new emerging areas of theoretical dispute for legal theorists, philosophers, and lawyers. Providing introductions to all major areas of Anglo-American law, and the major philosophical underpinnings of each of these areas, it also examines questions concerning the theoretical foundation and application of international law.

The text includes seminal essays from the history of philosophy, including works from Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, John Austin, Jeremy Bentham, Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, and others. In addition, many contemporary theorists are included, such as H. L. A. Hart, Ronald Dworkin, Robert Nozick, Richard Posner, Richard Epstein, A. M. Honoré, and Michael Moore, as well as diverse voices from feminism, critical theory, postmodernism, and critical race theory.

By bringing together these different and distinct voices into dialogue, the volume fully represents the philosophical foundations of various areas of law. By exposing students to a wide range of theoretical views, this book challenges students to think critically about law in the US and elsewhere, and between nations.

About the Author

Larry May, JD, PhD., is Professor of Philosophy at Washington University in St Louis, and Strategic Research Professor of Social Justice at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, Charles Sturt University in Canberra. He specializes in political philosophy, and is the author or editor of 21 books, including Sharing Responsibility (1992), Crimes Against Humanity: A Normative Account (2005), War Crimes and Just War (2007), and Aggression and Crimes Against Peace (2008).

Jeff Brown has a JD from Vanderbilt University and an MA from Washington University in St Louis, where he is now completing his PhD.