Premium Members Get 10% Off and Earn Rewards Find Out More

The Problematics of Moral and Legal Theory / Edition 1

Add to Wishlist

ISBN-10:: 0674007999
ISBN-13:: 9780674007994
Pub. Date:: 05/15/2002
Publisher:: Harvard University Press

ISBN-10:: 0674007999
ISBN-13:: 9780674007994
Pub. Date:: 05/15/2002
Publisher:: Harvard University Press

The Problematics of Moral and Legal Theory / Edition 1

Paperback

$52.00

SHIP THIS ITEM
Qualifies for Free Shipping
PICK UP IN STORE
Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Available within 2 business hours

SHIP THIS ITEM

Temporarily Out of Stock Online

Please check back later for updated availability.

Overview

Ambitious legal thinkers have become mesmerized by moral philosophy, believing that great figures in the philosophical tradition hold the keys to understanding and improving law and justice and even to resolving the most contentious issues of constitutional law. They are wrong, contends Richard Posner in this book. Posner characterizes the current preoccupation with moral and constitutional theory as the latest form of legal mystification—an evasion of the real need of American law, which is for a greater understanding of the social, economic, and political facts out of which great legal controversies arise. In pursuit of that understanding, Posner advocates a rebuilding of the law on the pragmatic basis of open-minded and systematic empirical inquiry and the rejection of cant and nostalgia—the true professionalism foreseen by Oliver Wendell Holmes a century ago. A bracing book that pulls no punches and leaves no pieties unpunctured or sacred cows unkicked, The Problematics of Moral and Legal Theory offers a sweeping tour of the current scene in legal studies—and a hopeful prospect for its future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674007994
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	05/15/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Richard A. Posner retired as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 2017. He was previously a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School.

Part 1: The Wrong Turn
- 1. Moral Theory
  - Introduction: From Moral Realism to Pragmatic Moral Skepticism
  - Understanding Morality
  - The Academic Moralist and the Moral Entrepreneur
  - Professionalism’s Cold Grip
- 2. Legal Theory, Moral Themes
  - Jurisprudence and Moral Theory
  - Moral Theory Applied Directly to Law
  - Some Famous “Moral” Cases
  - Constitutional Theory
Part 2: The Way Out
- 3. Professionalism
  - The Two Professionalisms
  - The Supersession Thesis
- 4. Pragmatism
  - The Pragmatic Approach to Law
  - Postmodernism Distinguished
  - Some Institutional Implications of Legal Pragmatism
Index

What People are Saying About This

The breadth and depth of Posner's scholarship is formidable, and his analyses are always provocative. This book is a highly welcome contribution to contemporary jurisprudential debate.

Richard Rorty

Richard Posner's trenchant criticism of the Kantian assumptions of most contemporary moral philosophy is very refreshing, and much needed. His distinction between "moral entrepreneurs" and "academic moral philosophers" is particularly helpful.
— Richard Rorty, Stanford University, author of Achieving Our Country (Harvard)

Sanford Levinson

More than ever,Richard Posner lays claim to the mantle of Oliver Wendell Holmes, not only in catholicity of interests, but also, in this instance, because Posner's thoroughgoing, no-holds-barred attack on moral philosophy is reminiscent of Holmes's own acerbic views regarding the potential contribution of moral theorizing to ascertaining the meaning of law. These chapters, as well as his attack on the contemporary vogue of "constitutional theory," will surely occasion the greatest controversy, but Posner also has important--and debatable--things to say about the legal profession and its future.
— Sanford Levinson, University of Texas at Austin Law School

Neil Duxbury

The breadth and depth of Posner's scholarship is formidable, and his analyses are always provocative. This book is a highly welcome contribution to contemporary jurisprudential debate.
— Neil Duxbury, Faculty of Law, University of Manchester

From the B&N Reads Blog

Page 1 of

Editorial Reviews

Richard Posner's trenchant criticism of the Kantian assumptions of most contemporary moral philosophy is very refreshing, and much needed. His distinction between "moral entrepreneurs" and "academic moral philosophers" is particularly helpful.

Richard Rorty

More than ever,Richard Posner lays claim to the mantle of Oliver Wendell Holmes, not only in catholicity of interests, but also, in this instance, because Posner's thoroughgoing, no-holds-barred attack on moral philosophy is reminiscent of Holmes's own acerbic views regarding the potential contribution of moral theorizing to ascertaining the meaning of law. These chapters, as well as his attack on the contemporary vogue of "constitutional theory," will surely occasion the greatest controversy, but Posner also has important—and debatable—things to say about the legal profession and its future.

Sanford Levinson

[This book] should fit the bill for those who might have been curious about what Posner has to say about jurisprudence and the law but were put off by the rather longer books. [It] also fits the bill for scholars, good upper level undergraduates, and graduates students who will benefit from reading an entirely readable book that will provoke them to skirmish with the author over the issues of legal pragmatism.

Law and Politics Book Review - Ira L. Strauber

The breadth and depth of Posner's scholarship is formidable, and his analyses are always provocative. This book is a highly welcome contribution to contemporary jurisprudential debate.

Neil Duxbury

Posner believes that most moral understanding is acquired in childhood and largely controlled by parental example, peer pressure, and religion. Once acquired, moral beliefs and commitments can only be changed through "appeals to self-interest and emotional appeals that bypass our rational calculating faculty"...As usual with Posner, the writing is clear, the footnotes abundant and highly informative, and the index excellent. Highest recommendation for all collections.

Choice - J. White

[This book] should fit the bill for those who might have been curious about what Posner has to say about jurisprudence and the law but were put off by the rather longer books. [It] also fits the bill for scholars, good upper level undergraduates, and graduates students who will benefit from reading an entirely readable book that will provoke them to skirmish with the author over the issues of legal pragmatism.
— Ira L. Strauber

Law and Politics Book Review

Posner believes that most moral understanding is acquired in childhood and largely controlled by parental example, peer pressure, and religion. Once acquired, moral beliefs and commitments can only be changed through "appeals to self-interest and emotional appeals that bypass our rational calculating faculty"...As usual with Posner, the writing is clear, the footnotes abundant and highly informative, and the index excellent. Highest recommendation for all collections.
— J. White

Choice

[This book] should fit the bill for those who might have been curious about what Posner has to say about jurisprudence and the law but were put off by the rather longer books. [It] also fits the bill for scholars, good upper level undergraduates, and graduates students who will benefit from reading an entirely readable book that will provoke them to squirmish with the author over the issues of legal pragmatism.

Ira L. Strauber

Posner believes that most moral understanding is acquired in childhood and largely controlled by parental example, peer pressure, and religion. Once acquired, moral beliefs and commitments can only be changed through 'appeals to self-interest and emotional appeals that bypass our rational calculating faculty'...As usual with Posner, the writing is clear, the footnotes abundant and highly informative, and the index excellent. Highest recommendation for all collections.

J. White

The Problematics of Moral and Legal Theory / Edition 1

The Problematics of Moral and Legal Theory / Edition 1

Paperback

Temporarily Out of Stock Online

Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

What People are Saying About This

Customer Reviews

Temporarily Out of Stock Online

Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

What People are Saying About This

Related Subjects

Customer Reviews