What Makes Law: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Law (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy and Law) - Softcover

Murphy, Liam

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521542197 ISBN 13: 9780521542197

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2014

Synopsis

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? These are all questions about the nature of law. 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.

About this title

Book Description:

This book offers an advanced introduction to central questions in legal philosophy and attempts to breathe new life into stalled research. The most important existing views about the nature of law 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 investigate just what might be at stake in these old debates, and what the prospects for progress might be.

About the Author:

Liam Murphy works in legal, moral, and political philosophy and the application of these inquiries to law and legal theory. He has published two books: Moral Demands in Nonideal Theory (2000) and The Myth of Ownership: Taxes and Justice (2002, with Thomas Nagel). His articles have appeared in Philosophy and Public Affairs among other journals. Murphy has been an associate editor and now is a member of the editorial board of Philosophy and Public Affairs. He was vice dean of the New York University School of Law from 2007 to 2010.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0521542197
• ISBN 13: 9780521542197
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 216