Jurisprudence

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF UTILITARIANISM, James E. Crimmins, ed., New York: Continuum International Publishers, Forthcoming

UNC Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1785400

9 Pages Posted: 16 Mar 2011

See all articles by Gerald J. Postema

Gerald J. Postema

University of North Carolina - Philosophy

Abstract

This essay offers a brief history of philosophical jurisprudence in the utilitarian tradition, broadly construed. Starting from its headwaters in Epicurean understanding of justice, this story summarizes contributions to the philosophy of law of Aquinas and Marsilius of Padua, Hobbes and Hume, Bentham and Austin, Holmes, Salmond and Hart. Bentham emerges as the pivotal figure giving utilitarian jurisprudence its distinctive, positivist modern form. The philosophical ambitions and the breadth of intellectual vision of Bentham’s thought stands as a challenge to contemporary work in the field.

Keywords: Positivism, Bentham. Hart, Epicurean, utilitarian

Suggested Citation

Postema, Gerald J., Jurisprudence. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF UTILITARIANISM, James E. Crimmins, ed., New York: Continuum International Publishers, Forthcoming, UNC Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1785400, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1785400

Gerald J. Postema (Contact Author)

University of North Carolina - Philosophy ( email )

Caldwell Hall
CB #3125
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3125
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
486
Abstract Views
2,639
Rank
107,647
PlumX Metrics