Description
Book Synopsis: First published in 1980, Natural Law and Natural Rights is widely heralded as a seminal contribution to the philosophy of law, and an authoritative restatement of natural law doctrine. It has offered generations of students and other readers a thorough grounding in the central issues of legal, moral, and political philosophy from Finnis’ distinctive perspective. This new edition includes a substantial postscript by the author, in which he responds to thirty years of discussion, criticism and further work in the field to develop and refine the original theory.
The book closely integrates the philosophy of law with ethics, social theory and political philosophy. The author develops a sustained and substantive argument; it is not a review of other people’s arguments but makes frequent illustrative and critical reference to classical, modern, and contemporary writers in ethics, social and political theory, and jurisprudence.
The preliminary First Part reviews a century of analytical jurisprudence to illustrate the dependence of every descriptive social science upon evaluations by the theorist. A fully critical basis for such evaluations is a theory of natural law. Standard contemporary objections to natural law theory are reviewed and shown to rest on serious misunderstandings.
The Second Part develops in ten carefully structured chapters an account of: basic human goods and basic requirements of practical reasonableness, community and ’the common good’; justice; the logical structure of rights-talk; the bases of human rights, their specification and their limits; authority, and the formation of authoritative rules by non-authoritative persons and procedures; law, the Rule of Law, and the derivation of laws from the principles of practical reasonableness; the complex relation between legal and moral obligation; and the practical and theoretical problems created by unjust laws.
A final Part develops a vigorous argument about the relation between ’natural law’, ’natural theology’ and ’revelation’ - between moral concern and other ultimate questions.
Details
Are you looking for a comprehensive and authoritative resource on the philosophy of law? Look no further than "Natural Law and Natural Rights" by John Finnis. This groundbreaking book, first published in 1980, has been hailed as a seminal contribution to the field, offering readers a thorough understanding of the central issues in legal, moral, and political philosophy. With its integration of ethics, social theory, and political philosophy, "Natural Law and Natural Rights" is a must-read for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the foundations of law.
In this new edition, Finnis provides a substantial postscript that addresses three decades worth of discussion, criticism, and further developments in the field. He refines and develops his original theory, ensuring that readers are up-to-date with the latest advancements in natural law doctrine. By making frequent references to classical, modern, and contemporary writers in ethics, social theory, and jurisprudence, Finnis presents a comprehensive and well-rounded argument.
In the first part of the book, Finnis highlights the importance of a theory of natural law as the basis for evaluations in descriptive social sciences. He addresses and dispels common objections to natural law theory, demonstrating that they are often grounded in misunderstandings. The second part delves into the concept of basic human goods, practical reasonableness, justice, rights-talk, the bases and limits of human rights, authority, the Rule of Law, and more. Finnis explores the intricate relationship between moral and legal obligations, and examines the challenges posed by unjust laws.
Finally, in the last part, Finnis provides a thought-provoking discussion on the relationship between "natural law," "natural theology," and "revelation." By exploring the connection between moral concern and other ultimate questions, he engages readers in a profound exploration of the foundations of morality and law.
Don't miss out on this essential resource for anyone interested in philosophy of law. Take a deep dive into the world of natural law and natural rights with "Natural Law and Natural Rights" by John Finnis. Get your copy now and embark on a journey of intellectual discovery.
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