Description

Book Synopsis
Readings in the Philosophy of Law brings together central texts on such topics as legal reasoning, the limits of individual liberty, responsibility and punishment, and international law. The included selections provide superb coverage of both classic and contemporary views, and are edited only lightly to allow readers to grapple with arguments in their original form. Culver and Giudice's clear, accessible introductions discuss key terms, claims, issues, and points of connection and disagreement. Readings are placed within their historical and social contexts, with analogies and examples emphasizing the continuing relevance of the arguments at issue. This third edition is updated to take account of the rise of legal pluralism, debates over judicial review of constitutional rights, anti-terrorism laws, hate crime, and non-state law at both regional and global levels.

Trade Review

“This is an exceptionally well-organized textbook. The editors’ introductory matter is uniformly first rate. It is a collection from which a professor could build an excellent course.” — Richard Bronaugh, University of Western Ontario

“A balanced and thorough introduction to philosophy of law that includes recent work in critical legal studies and feminism, and important material on international law. I strongly recommend it.” — Paul Hughes, University of Michigan, Dearborn

Readings in the Philosophy of Law is an excellent textbook. The editors carefully distill central themes of legal philosophy into manageable segments without sacrificing the level of detail that makes the subject both demanding and interesting. By structuring the material around the central questions that inform, or spring from, each debate, the authors prompt students to think critically about the material presented. In my view, the mark of a great textbook is that instructors from a range of philosophical schools will be excited to use it. I think Keith Culver and Michael Giudice have achieved this elusive goal.” — Margaret Martin, author of Judging Positivism



Table of Contents
  • Acknowledgements
  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • Further ReadingsChapter 1: Natural Law Theory
  • St. Thomas Aquinas, ""Treatise on Law,"" Questions 90-91, 94-96, Summa Theologica
  • John Finnis, from Natural Law and Natural Rights
  • Chapter 2: Legal Positivism
  • John Austin, from The Province of Jurisprudence Determined
  • H.L.A. Hart
  • ""Positivism and the Separation of Law and Morals""
  • ""Law as the Union of Primary and Secondary Rules,"" The Concept of Law
  • ""The Foundations of a Legal System,"" The Concept of Law
  • Chapter 3: Integrity
  • Ronald Dworkin
  • ""The Model of Rules I,"" Taking Rights Seriously
  • ""Integrity in Law,"" Law's Empire
  • Chapter 4: Legal Realism
  • Oliver Wendell Holmes, ""The Path of the Law,"" The Common Law
  • Brian Leiter, ""Rethinking Legal Realism: Toward a Naturalized Jurisprudence""
  • Chapter 5: Recent Developments: Feminist Jurisprudence, Critical Race Theory, and Legal Pluralism
  • Patricia Smith, ""Feminist Jurisprudence and the Nature of Law,"" Feminist Jurisprudence
  • Catharine A. MacKinnon, ""Toward Feminist Jurisprudence,"" Toward a Feminist Theory of the State
  • Richard Delgado, ""About Your Masthead: A Preliminary Inquiry into the Compatibility of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties""
  • Brian Tamanaha, ""Looking at Micronesia for Insights about the Nature of Law and Legal Thinking""
  • Chapter 6: Constitutional Rights, Judicial Review, and Democracy
  • Jeremy Waldron, ""A Right-Based Critique of Constitutional Rights""
  • Wil Waluchow, ""Constitutions as Living Trees: An Idiot Defends""
  • Chapter 7: Law and Limits on Individual Liberty
  • John Stuart Mill, from On Liberty
  • Patrick Devlin, ""Morals and the Criminal Law,"" The Enforcement of Morals
  • H.L.A. Hart, from Law, Liberty and Morality
  • Ronald Dworkin, ""The Threat to Patriotism""
  • Chapter 8: Responsibility
  • H.L.A. Hart, ""Postscript: Responsibility and Retribution,"" Punishment and Responsibility
  • R.A. Duff, ""Choice, Character, and Action,"" Criminal Attempts
  • Heidi Hurd, ""Why Liberals Should ‘Hate' Hate Crime Legislation""
  • Chapter 9: The Nature of International Law
  • Hugo Grotius, ""Prolegomena,"" De Jure Belli Ac Pacis Libri Tres
  • H.L.A. Hart, ""lnternational Law,"" The Concept of Law
  • Martti Koskenniemi, ""The Politics of lnternational Law""
  • Roger Cotterrell, ""Transnational Communities and the Concept of Law""

Readings in the Philosophy of Law

    Product form

    £73.95

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £87.00 – you save £13.05 (15%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 20 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Keith Culver, Michael Giudice

    3 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Readings in the Philosophy of Law by Keith Culver

      Publisher: Broadview Press Ltd
      Publication Date: 30/05/2017
      ISBN13: 9781554812523, 978-1554812523
      ISBN10: 1554812526

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Readings in the Philosophy of Law brings together central texts on such topics as legal reasoning, the limits of individual liberty, responsibility and punishment, and international law. The included selections provide superb coverage of both classic and contemporary views, and are edited only lightly to allow readers to grapple with arguments in their original form. Culver and Giudice's clear, accessible introductions discuss key terms, claims, issues, and points of connection and disagreement. Readings are placed within their historical and social contexts, with analogies and examples emphasizing the continuing relevance of the arguments at issue. This third edition is updated to take account of the rise of legal pluralism, debates over judicial review of constitutional rights, anti-terrorism laws, hate crime, and non-state law at both regional and global levels.

      Trade Review

      “This is an exceptionally well-organized textbook. The editors’ introductory matter is uniformly first rate. It is a collection from which a professor could build an excellent course.” — Richard Bronaugh, University of Western Ontario

      “A balanced and thorough introduction to philosophy of law that includes recent work in critical legal studies and feminism, and important material on international law. I strongly recommend it.” — Paul Hughes, University of Michigan, Dearborn

      Readings in the Philosophy of Law is an excellent textbook. The editors carefully distill central themes of legal philosophy into manageable segments without sacrificing the level of detail that makes the subject both demanding and interesting. By structuring the material around the central questions that inform, or spring from, each debate, the authors prompt students to think critically about the material presented. In my view, the mark of a great textbook is that instructors from a range of philosophical schools will be excited to use it. I think Keith Culver and Michael Giudice have achieved this elusive goal.” — Margaret Martin, author of Judging Positivism



      Table of Contents
      • Acknowledgements
      • Preface
      • Introduction
      • Further ReadingsChapter 1: Natural Law Theory
      • St. Thomas Aquinas, ""Treatise on Law,"" Questions 90-91, 94-96, Summa Theologica
      • John Finnis, from Natural Law and Natural Rights
      • Chapter 2: Legal Positivism
      • John Austin, from The Province of Jurisprudence Determined
      • H.L.A. Hart
      • ""Positivism and the Separation of Law and Morals""
      • ""Law as the Union of Primary and Secondary Rules,"" The Concept of Law
      • ""The Foundations of a Legal System,"" The Concept of Law
      • Chapter 3: Integrity
      • Ronald Dworkin
      • ""The Model of Rules I,"" Taking Rights Seriously
      • ""Integrity in Law,"" Law's Empire
      • Chapter 4: Legal Realism
      • Oliver Wendell Holmes, ""The Path of the Law,"" The Common Law
      • Brian Leiter, ""Rethinking Legal Realism: Toward a Naturalized Jurisprudence""
      • Chapter 5: Recent Developments: Feminist Jurisprudence, Critical Race Theory, and Legal Pluralism
      • Patricia Smith, ""Feminist Jurisprudence and the Nature of Law,"" Feminist Jurisprudence
      • Catharine A. MacKinnon, ""Toward Feminist Jurisprudence,"" Toward a Feminist Theory of the State
      • Richard Delgado, ""About Your Masthead: A Preliminary Inquiry into the Compatibility of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties""
      • Brian Tamanaha, ""Looking at Micronesia for Insights about the Nature of Law and Legal Thinking""
      • Chapter 6: Constitutional Rights, Judicial Review, and Democracy
      • Jeremy Waldron, ""A Right-Based Critique of Constitutional Rights""
      • Wil Waluchow, ""Constitutions as Living Trees: An Idiot Defends""
      • Chapter 7: Law and Limits on Individual Liberty
      • John Stuart Mill, from On Liberty
      • Patrick Devlin, ""Morals and the Criminal Law,"" The Enforcement of Morals
      • H.L.A. Hart, from Law, Liberty and Morality
      • Ronald Dworkin, ""The Threat to Patriotism""
      • Chapter 8: Responsibility
      • H.L.A. Hart, ""Postscript: Responsibility and Retribution,"" Punishment and Responsibility
      • R.A. Duff, ""Choice, Character, and Action,"" Criminal Attempts
      • Heidi Hurd, ""Why Liberals Should ‘Hate' Hate Crime Legislation""
      • Chapter 9: The Nature of International Law
      • Hugo Grotius, ""Prolegomena,"" De Jure Belli Ac Pacis Libri Tres
      • H.L.A. Hart, ""lnternational Law,"" The Concept of Law
      • Martti Koskenniemi, ""The Politics of lnternational Law""
      • Roger Cotterrell, ""Transnational Communities and the Concept of Law""

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account