New Introduction to Legal Method

<p><em>A New Introduction to Legal Method</em> provides a comprehensive overview of legal science and the scientific character of legal knowledge. </p><p>In five chapters, the book analyses and explores: (i) legal methodology in general, the main features of different schools of thought, and the nature of science in general; (ii) American realism, which offers an ideal starting point for law students to reflect on the material they are about to study critically; (iii) rationalism, empiricism, and logical positivism, in particular the work of Karl Popper; (iv) criticisms of essentialism; (v) the ideological and philosophical background of contemporary liberal interpretation. The inclusion of Dutch, French, and German literature sources makes this law title differ from previous writings on legal science. </p><p>This textbook is ideal for students of legal method, and will be of great interest to those studying legal science, jurisprudence, legal research,and legal skills.</p> Introduction 1 Is legal science a real science? 2 American Realism 3 Rationalism, empiricism, and logical positivism 4 Popper’s Critique of Essentialism and the Scientific Outlook 5 Three types of legal interpretation