Postmodern Legal Philosophy (Farewell Speech)

Author: [German] Arthur Kaufmann
Publisher:
Publishing Time: Not available
Features: This book is a work of legal philosophy written by Professor Arthur Kaufmann, a renowned contemporary German jurist. Legal philosophy, also known as jurisprudence, is a fundamental theoretical basis of modern German law. And modern German law, like the prominent global standing of the German legal system, represents the forefront of Western legal thought. This book is an academic lecture delivered by Professor Arthur Kaufmann upon his retirement after nearly 50 years of teaching, offering an interpretation and summary of his decades of practical experience and key issues in the field of legal philosophy. Since Kaufmann was a disciple of the famous German scholar Rudolf von Jhering, and Jhering was a student of the renowned 19th-century German jurist Friedrich Carl von Savigny, Kaufmann's academic career reflects an important lineage in the historical evolution of German legal thought. This provides a necessary reference for understanding and studying German law. The book is divided into seven chapters, including: Starting Conditions: Turning Points of the Era; Rational Legal Philosophy; Theories of Truth or Justice as Procedure; Various Starting Points for Truth or Justice Procedures Based on Content; Man as the Fundamental Relationship of Legal Ontology. The central theme that the author elaborates in this book is "reconciling justice," which refers to the contradiction between the formal and substantive aspects of ethics. The author argues that a "debating ethics" or "procedural ethics" that lacks substance must be refuted, as well as an "ethics or philosophy that ignores the procedural ethics of obtaining substantive normative rules." Here, the author delves into the deeper content of legal philosophy. At first glance, the book may seem obscure, but upon closer reading, it reveals rich insights and leaves ample room for reflection. Therefore, whether for those with extensive academic experience or for those newly entering the field of legal academic thought, reading these experiential and summary works is undoubtedly beneficial. This book is suitable for university law students and postgraduate students in China, as well as for law professors, judges, and lawyers for reference.