Q.What is Jurisprudence?

  

Ans.

Definitions by: Austin, Holland, Salmond Jurisprudence is the study of theory of law.  In Latin ‘Jurisprudentia’- Knowledge of Law. Legal theorists speak of nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions. Modern jurisprudence began in the 18th century and was focused on the first principles of the natural law, civil law, and the law of nations. Three primary schools of thought in general jurisprudence. Natural law is the idea that there are rational objective limits to the power of legislative rulers. The foundations of law are accessible through human reason and it is from these laws of nature that human-created laws gain whatever force they have. Legal positivism, it holds that there is no necessary connection between law and morality and that the force of law comes from social domination or hierarchy.  Legal realism  argues that the real world practice of law is actual law; what legislators, judges, and executives do is what is law. Jeremy Bentham is known as Father of Jurisprudence. Bentham distinguished: 1. Law as it is Expository Approach Command of Sovereign. 2. Law as it ought to be Censorial Approach Morality of Law. Utilitarianism: How much pleasure or pain does the law bring?  Man is a pleasure seeker.  Laissez-faire: Minimum interference of law in economic life of the citizen. 

Austin said -  law is command of sovereign.

Legal Positivism:-  separates moral rules from positive law.

·         law is command issued by the sovereign

·         commands are backed by threats of sanctions

·         a sovereign is one who is habitually obeyed

Criticism of Austin

1.       State enforces law, anything enforced does not become law. 

2.       Laws in primitive societies without clear soverign. 

Holland’s Definition- Analytical - Positive laws. 

1.       General rules for people enforced by a state.

2.       Study the form and not the implementation. What law intends to achieve is what is law.

3.       How positive law is applied is not the concern of Jurisprudence. 

4.       Jurisprudence is not concerned with the actual material contents of law but only with its fundamental conceptions. Therefore, its a Formal Science.

5.       It is product of intellectual enquiry. 

6.       Formal Science deals only with purposes, methods and ideas of the basis of the legal system.

7.       Holland is concerned only with the form and not the intricacies.

Criticizism: Focus is on form or essence, but practice is affected by actual conditions, social life, and human relations in a society.
Salmond- He said that Jurisprudence is Science of Law of the land or civil law. He divided Jurisprudence into two parts: 1. Generic- This includes the entire body of legal doctrines. 2. Specific- This deals with the particular department or any portion of the doctrines. ‘Specific’ is further divided into three parts:

1. Analytical, Expository or Systematic- It deals with the contents of an actual legal system existing at any time, past or the present.

2. Historical- It is concerned with the legal history and its development

3. Ethical- According to him, the purpose of any legislation is to set forth laws as it ought to be. It deals with the ‘ideal’ of the legal system and the purpose for which it exists. Criticism -  Gave the structure and failed to provide any clarity of thought. Conclusion- Thus, we can safely say that Jurisprudence is the study of fundamental legal principles. Scope of Jurisprudence-  Systematic study of laws and their impact on society.Specific and general study allows for development of civilized society.Significance and Utility of the Study of Jurisprudence

1.       Jurisprudence contribute to the development of  legal, political and social school of thoughts.

2.       Establish fundamental principles of law. 

3.       Define legal objectives. Make laws simple and more effective. Not long and unimplementable. Also allow them to change over time with Society.

4.       Study context of laws in details and their actual implementation. Taking notes of developments in society. Like Internet.

5.       Guides in ambigous legal terminology and expression.

6.       Provides rules of interpretation.

7.       Jurisprudence’s role is Normative that deals with the improvement of law in prevailing socio-economic and political philosophies.

Relationship of Jurisprudence with other Social Sciences 
1. Jurisprudence and Sociology - Its Normative. Influence of law on society and social welfare.  
2. Jurisprudence and Psychology- Psychology has a close connection with Jurisprudence. Eg. Criminological Jurisprudence. Study, motive behind a crime, criminal personality, reasons for crime etc.

3. Jurisprudence and Ethics- What is Ideal Human Behaviour?  a. Moral Code - Establish laws based on Ethical Principles and Natural Law.

b. Positive Moral Code- to establish principles of Equality, Freedom,  etc. in the light of public opinion. c. Ethics are used to criticize laws and develop new ones. 
4. Jurisprudence and Economics- Economics studies man’s efforts in satisfying his wants and producing and distributing wealth. Jurisprudence adds legal aspect to it. Like Bentham’s attitude of Laissez Faire, and Minimum interference in economic life. 
5. Jurisprudence and History- Study of past and laws. Past Laws, their drawbacks. Social and historical significance of present laws. 
6. Jurisprudence and Politics- A politically organized society, regulates lifes of its citizens using laws. Its a mutual relationship.