Introduction to the Philosophy of Law

"This is the book I've been waiting for! A collaboration between a philosopher (White) and a legal scholar (Patterson), it contains both readings (classical and contemporary) and cases. All of the main theories of the nature of law are represented, from natural law and positivism (the stalwarts) to constructivism (Dworkin), consequentialism (Posner), critical legal studies, and feminist and the 'new' natural-law theory (Finnis), for a total of eight legalphilosophies. Unlike other introductory textbooks, this one includes cases in statutory interpretation and private law (contract and tort) as well as public law. Students and instructors will love thisbook."--Keith Burgess-Jackson, The University of Texas at Arlington"An excellent collection of materials on the single most important question in legal philosophy: What are the criteria by which we can settle the question of whether something is a rule of law? The case materials are also very well chosen."--Ronald Moore, University of Washington

• PrefaceSelection AuthorsPart I: TYPES OF LEGAL PHILOSOPHY1. Classical Natural Law JurisprudenceReadings from Aristotle, Cicero, Aquinas, Grotius, and Blackstone: 2. PositivismReadings from H.L.A. Hart: 3. ConstructivismReadings from Ronald Dworkin: 4. ConsequentialismReadings from Richard Posner: 5. Critical Legal TheoryReadings from Andrew Altman, Roberto Unger, and Martha Minow: Part I: Critical Legal StudiesPart II: Feminist Jurisprudence6. Practice TheoryReadings from Phillip Bobbitt and Dennis Patterson: 7. New Natural Law TheoryReadings from John Finnis: PART II. CASES IN STATUTORY INTERPRETATION, CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW, AND PUBLIC LAW8. Statutory InterpretationRiggs v. PalmerChurch of the Holy Trinity v. United StatesUnited Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO v. Weber.Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife9. Contract LawHamer v. SidwayC & J Fertilizer, Inc. v. Allied Mutual Insurance CompanyWilliams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture CompanyIn the Matter of Baby M10. Tort LawPalsgraf v. The Long Island Railroad CompanyDillon v. LeggThing v. LaChusaHymowitz v. Eli Lily and CompanyVincent et al. v. Lake Erie Transportation Company11. Public LawTexas v. JohnsonHome Building & Loan Ass'n v. BlaisdellMeyer v. State of NebraskaEverson v. Board of Education of Ewing TP.GlossaryIndex