Louis E. Wolcher is Charles I. Stone Professor of Law at the University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, USA. Professor Wolcher's primary research interests are in the fields of philosophy of law, legal and political theory, philosophy of language, and human rights.

'This is a ground-breaking work of erudition, empathy and thinking. Wolcher combines seamlessly analytical and continental philosophy to re-imagine the fundamentals of law and jurisprudence. Law's empire is not founded on reason, utility or need but on human suffering. In forgetting this, law increases suffering while jurisprudence legitimises it by concealing the tragic springs of human action. "Pathei mathos" (learn from suffering) said the Greeks. Law's Task reminds us of the centrality of this insight and shows that despite the attempt to obscure its importance it retains fully its relevance and force. This book proves Wolcher to be the most important, imaginative and critical American legal philosopher.' Costas Douzinas, Birkbeck College, UK

• Chapter 1 A Summary of Themes; Chapter 2 The Guiding Question; Chapter 3 Suffering and Ethical Distress; Chapter 4 The Problem of Legal Meaning; Chapter 5 The Limits of Reason in Legal Interpretation; Chapter 6 The Times of Law and Religion; Chapter 7 The Tragedy of Law and Justice;

Louis E. Wolcher is Charles I. Stone Professor of Law at the University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, USA. Professor Wolcher's primary research interests are in the fields of philosophy of law, legal and political theory, philosophy of language, and human rights.

'This is a ground-breaking work of erudition, empathy and thinking. Wolcher combines seamlessly analytical and continental philosophy to re-imagine the fundamentals of law and jurisprudence. Law's empire is not founded on reason, utility or need but on human suffering. In forgetting this, law increases suffering while jurisprudence legitimises it by concealing the tragic springs of human action. "Pathei mathos" (learn from suffering) said the Greeks. Law's Task reminds us of the centrality of this insight and shows that despite the attempt to obscure its importance it retains fully its relevance and force. This book proves Wolcher to be the most important, imaginative and critical American legal philosopher.' Costas Douzinas, Birkbeck College, UK

• Chapter 1 A Summary of Themes; Chapter 2 The Guiding Question; Chapter 3 Suffering and Ethical Distress; Chapter 4 The Problem of Legal Meaning; Chapter 5 The Limits of Reason in Legal Interpretation; Chapter 6 The Times of Law and Religion; Chapter 7 The Tragedy of Law and Justice;

Louis E. Wolcher is Charles I. Stone Professor of Law at the University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, USA. Professor Wolcher's primary research interests are in the fields of philosophy of law, legal and political theory, philosophy of language, and human rights.

'This is a ground-breaking work of erudition, empathy and thinking. Wolcher combines seamlessly analytical and continental philosophy to re-imagine the fundamentals of law and jurisprudence. Law's empire is not founded on reason, utility or need but on human suffering. In forgetting this, law increases suffering while jurisprudence legitimises it by concealing the tragic springs of human action. "Pathei mathos" (learn from suffering) said the Greeks. Law's Task reminds us of the centrality of this insight and shows that despite the attempt to obscure its importance it retains fully its relevance and force. This book proves Wolcher to be the most important, imaginative and critical American legal philosopher.' Costas Douzinas, Birkbeck College, UK

• Chapter 1 A Summary of Themes; Chapter 2 The Guiding Question; Chapter 3 Suffering and Ethical Distress; Chapter 4 The Problem of Legal Meaning; Chapter 5 The Limits of Reason in Legal Interpretation; Chapter 6 The Times of Law and Religion; Chapter 7 The Tragedy of Law and Justice;