However, the inclusion of Social Philosophy immediately complicates the Kelsenian purity. Entries on Legal Realism and Sociological Jurisprudence introduce the concept of efficacy. A norm may be valid on paper, but if it lacks social acceptance or enforcement, its legal reality is questionable. The Encyclopedia documents the transition from Kelsen’s "purity" to H.L.A. Hart’s "rule of recognition," where social practice (the behavior of officials) becomes the criterion for the existence of law.
Regents Professor at the University of Baltimore and former IVR President. Exploration of Justice, Rights, Liberty, Equality, and the
Exploration of Justice, Rights, Liberty, Equality, and the Common Good. Exploration of Justice
Encyclopedia of the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy , edited by Mortimer Sellers and Stephan Kirste, is the definitive reference work in its field, containing from a global team of scholars. Published by Springer in 2023, the PDF version (eBook ISBN: 978-94-007-6519-1) offers an extensive digital resource spanning approximately 9,695 pages . Core Content and Structure 695 pages .
The work distinguishes itself by bridging abstract philosophical inquiry with practical legal and social institutions.
: Explores the formal structure of law, legal systems, and the intersection between The Science of Law and Social Science : Includes profiles of influential figures such as Thomas Aquinas Immanuel Kant Lon Fuller Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw WordPress.com Structure of the Work