Philosophy of Law Vocabulary and Key Notes

Dr. Craig K. Agule, Rutgers-Camden Philosophy 258

Sibylline

Relating to or characteristic of a sibyl; prophetic and mysterious

Axiom

A statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true

Emanate

(Of something abstract but perceptible) issue or spread out from (a source)

Inarticulate

Unable to speak distinctly or express oneself clearly

Command Theory

Law is the set of commands issued by the sovereign (backed by sanctions)

Common Law

Set of prior rulings / set law / precedent / development of law by the ruling

Natural Law

Essence of law, there is an essential connection between law and morality

Legal Realism

Most important think is the judges values and judgement

Legal Formalism

Law can be reasoned about logically

“Bad Man” Theory of Law

Always thinking about how courts will treat them, predicting of how the courts will treat them