An Introduction to the Philosophy of Law

Roscoe Pound (1922)

Dean Pound's influential work on sociological jurisprudence, arguing that law should serve social purposes.

Significance

Advanced sociological jurisprudence as a major school of legal thought. Influenced legal reform movements throughout the 20th century.

Selected Excerpt

Law must be stable and yet it cannot stand still. Hence all thinking about law has struggled to reconcile the conflicting demands of the need of stability and of the need of change. The end of law is to maintain, to restore, to further civilization. This is achieved through social control through the force of politically organized society.

civil-rights

This text is in the public domain. Original publication: 1922.