Jurisprudence And Legal | Theory
When a Supreme Court Justice writes an opinion, they are using jurisprudence. If they cite the "original intent" of the Founders, they are channeling Originalism. If they argue that a statute violates "human dignity," they are channeling Natural Law.
Think of a house. The statutes, cases, and regulations are the bricks, the windows, and the doors. beneath them. You can live in the house without seeing the foundation, but if the ground shifts, the whole house cracks. Legal theory asks: Why is the foundation built this way? Is it stable? Should we build it differently? jurisprudence and legal theory
Ask a law student what they did today, and they might say, "I studied the tort of negligence." Ask a jurisprudence student, and they might say, "I asked a statue what it means to be fair." When a Supreme Court Justice writes an opinion,
Whether you believe the law is a moral imperative handed down by the universe, or simply a command backed by the threat of force, understanding legal theory makes you a sharper lawyer, a more informed citizen, and a deeper thinker. Think of a house