A Dictionary of Legal Theory

Modern legal theory contains a wide range of approaches and topics: from economic analysis of law to feminist legal theory to traditional analytical legal philosophy to a range of theories about justice. This healthy variety of jurisprudential work has created a problem: students and theorists working in one tradition may have difficulty understanding the concepts and terminology of a different tradition. This book works to make terminology and ways of thinking accessible.

This dictionary covers topics from the 'autonomy of law' to the 'will theory of rights', from 'autopoiesis' to 'wealth maximization', and from 'John Austin' to 'Ludwig Wittgenstein'. The most important concepts and ideas are presented in a simple dictionary format. There are also many longer entries, where the initial definition gives an accessible explanation, but the entry goes on to give more detailed information about the history of an idea and the debates currently surrounding it.

"Indicating a clear and laudable desire to bridge vocabulary gaps between scholarly disciplines, Bix clearly defines intersecting terms.... Bix's work succeeds in offering reliable, accessible definitions of legal terms. Recommended."--Choice

"[This] Dictionary of Legal Theory should be on the shelf of anyone with an interest in legal theory. Bix has an exceptional ability to provide lucid definitions of even the most recondite theoretical concepts. This is more than just expositional skill: he often does real philosophical work in clarifying and distinguishing complex theoretical issues."--Dan Farber, Sho Sato Professor of Law, University of California at Berkeley

"Brian Bix has produced a useful and instructive explanation of an impressive variety of terms, concepts, and thinkers. Highly recommended for both students and teachers of law, and for generalists and specialists alike."--Cass R. Sunstein, Karl N. Llewellyn Distinguished Service Professor of Jurisprudence, University of Chicago Law School

Brian Bix is Frederick W. Thomas Professor of Law and Philosophyat the University of Minnesota.