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Philosophy of law : a very short introduction /

The concept of law lies at the heart of our social and political life, shaping the character of our community and underlying issues from racism and abortion to human rights and international war. But what actually is law? A set of naturally occurring moral principles, or simply rules agreed by a par...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wacks, Raymond
Format: Printed Book
Language:English
Published: Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2006.
Series:Very short introductions.
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip066/2006000591.html
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0725/2006000591-b.html
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0725/2006000591-d.html
Description
Summary:The concept of law lies at the heart of our social and political life, shaping the character of our community and underlying issues from racism and abortion to human rights and international war. But what actually is law? A set of naturally occurring moral principles, or simply rules agreed by a particular society? What is a 'right' and what rights should people actually have? Is law really colour-blind and gender-blind? Can the law truly tell us whether gay marriages are immoral, what's wrong with racism, or whether we should go to war? Revealing the intriguing and challenging nature of legal philosophy with clarity and enthusiasm, Raymond Wacks explores the notion of law and its role in our lives. Referring to key thinkers from Aristotle to Rawls, Bentham, Dworkin, H.L.A. Hart and Derrida, he looks at the central questions behind legal theory that have fascinated lawyers and philosophers - and anyone - who ever wondered about law's relation to justice, morality, and democracy
Physical Description:xvi, 127 p. : ill. ; 18 cm.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references (p. 108-117) and index.
ISBN:0192806912 (pbk. : alk. paper)
9780192806918