The Problems of Jurisprudence

Richard A. Posner

    Richard Posner is one of the nation's most influential thinkers...He spearheaded the law and economics movement that has, in the eyes of many, revolutionized the entire legal enterprise...The bulk of his book consists of close analyses...and crucial discussions...all of which are bolstered by an impressive array of references to the rich literature of contemporary law, philosophy, science and jurisprudence.
       --Calvin Woodward, New York Times Book Review

    [Posner's] book will challenge everyone. All sides will likely draw upon the work, even as they differ with it and among themselves...[It is an] extraordinarily wide-ranging, intellectually stimulating book.
       --Robert A. Katzmann, Christian Science Monitor

    As one reads through this remarkable book, Posner's vision of law slowly builds to a climax that...is awesome...[He] tackles all the basic problems of legal thought and of moral and political philosophy since the time of Plato and Aristotle [and] enables us to see the richly textured fabric of our legal system in a more coherent manner than has anyone else.
       --Stephen B. Presser, Chicago Tribune

    In short, sophisticated legal types should certainly read Posner to learn that he now argues for "pragmatic jurisprudence" and "reasonable" answers in law against absolute "right answers"...Layman should read Posner for a more vital reason. Because a nation supposedly ruled by law, not men, should be literate enough in jurisprudence to tell the difference.
       --Carlin Romano, Philadelphia Inquirer

    It's hard to be in the presence of Richard Posner, or his writings, without learning. He says, in his book, many wise things about the ways of judges, and I am persuaded that, in his commentary on judges and their handling of several important issues in our polities, he has it, cannily, right ...If Posner could be elevated, by magic, to the Supreme Court, without the hazards of the confirmation process, that institution would no doubt become a more interesting, charged place.
       --Hadley Arkes, Public Interest

  • Cover: The Problems of Jurisprudence
  • A photo of the author

Richard A. Posner is Circuit Judge, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School.