The Theory of Justice is a foundational work in legal philosophy that examines the concept of justice as a guiding ideal of law. Rudolf Stammler presents justice not as a fixed set of rules, but as a rational and ethical standard against which positive law must be evaluated. The book explores how law should function as an instrument for achieving social harmony, fairness, and moral order within a changing society. Through philosophical reasoning, Stammler bridges jurisprudence with ethics, offering a normative framework for understanding the purpose and legitimacy of legal systems.
Key Features
- Explains justice as a universal and rational ideal distinct from enacted law
- Analyses the relationship between law, morality, and social order
- Introduces the concept of ?right law? as opposed to merely ?valid law?
- Emphasises social justice and ethical standards in legal interpretation
- Influential contribution to neo-Kantian jurisprudence and legal theory
This book is intended for law students, postgraduate scholars, academicians, and researchers interested in jurisprudence and legal philosophy. It is particularly useful for those studying theories of justice, normative legal theory, and the philosophical foundations of law. Practicing lawyers and judges with an interest in the ethical dimensions of lawmaking and adjudication will also find the work intellectually valuable.