Two Books of the Elements of Universal Jurisprudence

Two Books of the Elements of Universal Jurisprudence was Pufendorf’s first work, published in 1660. Its appearance effectively inaugurated the modern natural-law movement in the German-speaking world, establishing Pufendorf as a key figure and laying the foundations for his later major works.

Samuel Pufendorf (1632–1694) taught natural law and was court historian in both Germany and Sweden.

Thomas Behme is a member of the faculty at the Institute for Philosophy, Free University of Berlin.