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Rudolf von Jhering (1818-1892) was one of the leading Roman lawyers in nineteenth century Germany and famously developed a sophisticated methodology for the "Begriffsjurisprudenz" (conceptual jurisprudence) of his time. At mid-career, however, he turned to a sociological and instrumentalist jurisprudence. His view of law as a product of social struggle and as a "means to an end" shaped twentieth century legal thought in Germany and beyond, especially in the United States. Jhering's work is marked by an extraordinary richness of ideas and perspectives but also by deeply-rooted tensions and contradictions. It raises fundamental questions about the law's historical contingency, its legitimacy and the ultimate meaning of justice.
Price: £96.80
Pages: 463
Publisher: Mohr Siebeck
Imprint: Mohr Siebeck
Series: Beiträge zum ausländischen und internationalen Privatrecht
Publication Date:
30 April 2026
ISBN: 9783162005441
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
Legal education at the University of Freiburg i.Br.; 1978 1st, 1981 2nd State Exam; 1982 Dr. iur utr., University of Freiburg; 1983 LLM University of Michigan; since 1985 Professor of Law at the University of Michigan; 1995-99 Professur für Zivilrecht, Rechtsvergleichung und Rechtsgeschichte at the University of Trier; regular visiting professor at University of Freiburg; currently Hessel E. Yntema Professor of Law at the University of Michigan.
Introduction: Why Jhering?1. Jhering's World: Jurisprudence, Philosophy, Society, and Politics in Nineteenth Century Germany2. Waystations: A Nineteenth Century Academic Life3. Professional Friendships: Gerber and Windscheid4. A Closer Personal Look: Tensions and Conflicts1. Jherings Jurisprudential Agenda: Geist des roemischen Rechts (1852-1865)2. Jhering's "Natural-Historical Method": Unsere Aufgabe (1857)3. Doctrinal Scholarship in Action: "Culpa in contrahendo" (1861)4. The Importance of Practice: "Ist die Jurisprudenz eine Wissenschaft?" (1868)5. The Importance of Teaching: "Die Jurisprudenz des täglichen Lebens" (1870)6. Jhering and the Historical School: "Friedrich Carl von Savigny" (1861)1. At the Limits of Legal Logic: "Gefahr beim Kaufcontract" (1859)2. Ridiculing the Mainstream: "Scherz und Ernst in der Jurisprudenz" (1861-1866/1884)3. The Issue of Continuity: Jhering's "Damascus"?1. Social Facts and Moral Duties: "Der Kampf um's Recht" (1872)2. A Sociological Theory of Law: "Der Zweck im Recht" (vol. I, 1877/1883)3. Jherings Positivism and the Challenge of Justice: "Die Entstehung des Rechtsgefühls" (1884)1. A Critique of Historiography: "Aufgabe und Methode der Rechtsgeschichtsschreibung" (1894)2. Explaining History through Social Conditions and the Force of Progress:"Das Schuldmoment im römischen Privatrecht" (1867)3. Evolutionary Histories: Jhering, Maine, and Holmes1. Social Norms Beyond Law: "Der Zweck im Recht" (vol. II, 1884/1886)2. A Critique of Social Norms: "Das Trinkgeld" (1882)3. Toying with Pre-History: "Vorgeschichte der Indoeuropäer" (1894)4. The Fearless Amateur: Between Perceptiveness and Speculation1. At the Home Front: Jhering in Twentieth Century Germany2. A Global Perspective: Evidence of Worldwide Influence3. Jhering's Reception in the United States: The Triumph of Instrumentalism4. Specific Areas: Roman Law, Sociology of Law, Comparative Law