This chapter explores classical positivism. The discussions cover Bentham’s concept of jurisprudence; Bentham and Austin’s command theory of law; the attachment of sanctions; Kelsen’s pure theory of law; and the significance of classical positivist theories.
Chapter
3. Classical Legal Positivism: Bentham, Austin, and Kelsen
J. E. Penner and E. Melissaris
Chapter
4. Hart: The Critical Project
J. E. Penner and E. Melissaris
This chapter explores Hart’s criticisms of classical positivist theory and certain moralist claims about the law. The discussions cover Hart’s methodology; Hart’s gunman and the critique of command theory; and Hart and moral analyses of positive law.
