Overview

Some law students find jurisprudence daunting, impersonal, dry and seemingly detached from practical affairs. Building on a pragmatic view of jurisprudence, this book explores different ways of reading and using juristic texts, to set them in context, to bring them to life and to engage with the reader's own concerns. It aims to bring together into a coherent whole widely scattered articles/essays centering on three related themes: reading juristic texts, the role of narrative in law and the relationship between theory and practice. The author challenges parochial assumptions about legal theory and outlines a programme for a revived general jurisprudence in the context of globalization. He also explores in depth different ways of reading and using juristic texts, with particular reference to Holmes, Hart, Bentham and Llewellyn, and examines the uses and abuses of narrative and story-telling in legal contexts.

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9780754622116

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Reviews

’William Twining is a distinctive voice among British jurists. He has a unique grasp of the history of Juristic ideas, that shines through in all his writings.’ Professor Neil McCormick, University of Edinburgh, UK ’In Twining’s vision, the scope of jurisprudence is remarkably broad, and uniquely inviting.  From parables to the panopticon, from post-modernism to problems of conceptualizaing law in an era of globalization - no issue important for our understanding of the role of law in modern social life escapes his searching gaze.  These essays offer a leisurely, reflective tour through a rich gallery of jurists and jurisprudential theories, philosophical problems, lawyer's stories, and lessons we can learn from all of them.  Novice and expert alike will find this book enormously rewarding.’ Gerald J. Postema, Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Law, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA ’Professor Twining is by far the most interesting legal theorist alive. Indeed he is the only global legal theorist alive. His work travels from Tanzania to Britain, from the USA to Colombia and further, for he wants to draw the map of the brave new world emerging in the frontiers of the Global North and the Global South. The result is pathbreaking: indeed, it is Newfoundland all over again. Not only his research is taking legal theory where no one has gone before, he is also writing and composing in a unique style. The blending of diary and ethnographic techniques, together with cutting-edge analysis moving between philosophy, law and the postcolonial politics of globalization in a no-nonsense approach is unprecedented. Behold, the future of legal and political studies has arrived.’ Oscar Guardiola-Rivera, Associate Professor of Jurisprudence & Political Ideas, Universidad Javeriana, Colombia.

'William Twining is a distinctive voice among British jurists. He has a unique grasp of the history of Juristic ideas, that shines through in all his writings.' Professor Neil McCormick, University of Edinburgh, UK 'In Twining's vision, the scope of jurisprudence is remarkably broad, and uniquely inviting.A From parables to the panopticon, from post-modernism to problems of conceptualizaing law in an era of globalization - no issue important for our understanding of the role of law in modern social life escapes his searching gaze.A These essays offer a leisurely, reflective tour through a rich gallery of jurists and jurisprudential theories, philosophical problems, lawyer's stories, and lessons we can learn from all of them.A Novice and expert alike will find this book enormously rewarding.' Gerald J. Postema, Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Law, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA 'Professor TwiningA isA by far the most interesting legal theorist alive. Indeed he is the only global legal theorist alive. His work travels from Tanzania to Britain, from the USA to Colombia and further, for he wantsA toA drawA the map of theA brave new world emerging inA the frontiers ofA theA Global North and the GlobalA South. The result is pathbreaking:A indeed, itA is Newfoundland all over again. Not only his research is taking legalA theory where no one has gone before, he is alsoA writing and composing in a unique style. The blending of diary and ethnographic techniques, together with cutting-edgeA analysis moving between philosophy, law and the postcolonial politics of globalization in a no-nonsense approach is unprecedented. Behold, the future of legal and political studies has arrived.' Oscar Guardiola-Rivera, Associate Professor of Jurisprudence & Political Ideas, Universidad Javeriana, Colombia.

'William Twining is a distinctive voice among British jurists. He has a unique grasp of the history of Juristic ideas, that shines through in all his writings.' Professor Neil McCormick, University of Edinburgh, UK 'In Twining's vision, the scope of jurisprudence is remarkably broad, and uniquely inviting. From parables to the panopticon, from post-modernism to problems of conceptualizaing law in an era of globalization - no issue important for our understanding of the role of law in modern social life escapes his searching gaze. These essays offer a leisurely, reflective tour through a rich gallery of jurists and jurisprudential theories, philosophical problems, lawyer's stories, and lessons we can learn from all of them. Novice and expert alike will find this book enormously rewarding.' Gerald J. Postema, Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Law, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA 'Professor Twiningisby far the most interesting legal theorist alive. Indeed he is the only global legal theorist alive. His work travels from Tanzania to Britain, from the USA to Colombia and further, for he wantstodrawthe map of thebrave new world emerging inthe frontiers oftheGlobal North and the GlobalSouth. The result is pathbreaking:indeed, itis Newfoundland all over again. Not only his research is taking legaltheory where no one has gone before, he is alsowriting and composing in a unique style. The blending of diary and ethnographic techniques, together with cutting-edgeanalysis moving between philosophy, law and the postcolonial politics of globalization in a no-nonsense approach is unprecedented. Behold, the future of legal and political studies has arrived.' Oscar Guardiola-Rivera, Associate Professor of Jurisprudence & Political Ideas, Universidad Javeriana, Colombia.

�William Twining is a distinctive voice among British jurists. He has a unique grasp of the history of Juristic ideas, that shines through in all his writings.� Professor Neil McCormick, University of Edinburgh, UK �In Twining�s vision, the scope of jurisprudence is remarkably broad, and uniquely inviting. From parables to the panopticon, from post-modernism to problems of conceptualizaing law in an era of globalization - no issue important for our understanding of the role of law in modern social life escapes his searching gaze. These essays offer a leisurely, reflective tour through a rich gallery of jurists and jurisprudential theories, philosophical problems, lawyer's stories, and lessons we can learn from all of them. Novice and expert alike will find this book enormously rewarding.� Gerald J. Postema, Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Law, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA �Professor Twining is by far the most interesting legal theorist alive. Indeed he is the only global legal theorist alive. His work travels from Tanzania to Britain, from the USA to Colombia and further, for he wants to draw the map of the brave new world emerging in the frontiers of the Global North and the Global South. The result is pathbreaking: indeed, it is Newfoundland all over again. Not only his research is taking legal theory where no one has gone before, he is also writing and composing in a unique style. The blending of diary and ethnographic techniques, together with cutting-edge analysis moving between philosophy, law and the postcolonial politics of globalization in a no-nonsense approach is unprecedented. Behold, the future of legal and political studies has arrived.� Oscar Guardiola-Rivera, Associate Professor of Jurisprudence & Political Ideas, Universidad Javeriana, Colombia.

Author Information

William Twining, Research Professor of Law at University College London, UK, having been Quain Professor of Jurisprudence from 1982 to 1986.

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