New Book Forum: 'Understanding the Nature of Law' by Professor Michael Giudice
30 March 2016
Time: 4:00 - 6:30pm
Venue: Room 313, Law Building, School of Law, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS
Centre for Law and Society in a Global Context (CLSGC) in the School of Law at Queen Mary University of London host this new book forum on Professor Michael Giudice’s (York, Canada) new book Understanding the Nature of Law, published by Edward Elgar.
The forum will begin with an introduction to the book by Professor Giudice and will be followed by commentaries from:
- Professor Dennis Patterson (EUI)
- Dr Julie Dickson (Oxford)
- Dr Veronica Rodriguez-Blanco (Birmingham)
- Professor Sanne Taekema (Rotterdam)
- Professor Roger Cotterrell (Queen Mary)
- Chaired by Dr Maks Del Mar (Queen Mary)
About the Book
Understanding the Nature of Law explores methodological questions about how best to explain law. Among these questions, one is central: is there something about law which determines how it should be theorised?
Michael Giudice presents the problem: several methods suggest themselves as suitable to understanding law; however, each method claims unique importance with no need of others. A solution is offered in two key claims. First, many conceptual theories of law are best understood not as the result of conceptual analysis, but as constructive conceptual explanations, emphasizing a crucial role for revision and expansion of ordinary concepts, in ways responsive to new problems and new phenomena. Second, conceptual theories of law can and ought to identify necessary as well as contingent features in the construction of conceptual explanations of law. This novel book explains the importance of conceptual explanation by situating its methods and goals in relation to, rather than in competition with, social scientific and moral theories of law.
The book will be of primary interest to both students and academics in legal, political, and moral philosophy. It will also be of interest to students and academics working in the social sciences who are interested in questions about the distinctive character of law.
Directions
For directions to the venue, please refer to the map.
How to book
This event is free but prior booking is required. Register online via Eventbrite.
Contact
For more information on this event, please email lawevents@qmul.ac.uk.
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