Rudolf von Jhering

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 and shaped twentieth century legal thought in Germany and beyond, especially in the United States.

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.

Introduction: Why Jhering?
1. Jhering's World: Jurisprudence, Philosophy, Society, and Politics in Nineteenth Century Germany
2. Waystations: A Nineteenth Century Academic Life
3. Professional Friendships: Gerber and Windscheid
4. A Closer Personal Look: Tensions and Conflicts
1. 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 tC$glichen Lebens" (1870)
6. Jhering and the Historical School: "Friedrich Carl von Savigny" (1861)
1. At the Limits of Legal Logic: "Gefahr beim Kaufcontract" (1859)
2. Ridiculing the Mainstream: "Scherz und Ernst in der Jurisprudenz" (1861-1866/1884)
3. The Issue of Continuity: Jhering's "Damascus"?
1. Social Facts and Moral Duties: "Der Kampf um's Recht" (1872)
2. A Sociological Theory of Law: "Der Zweck im Recht" (vol. I, 1877/1883)
3. Jherings Positivism and the Challenge of Justice: "Die Entstehung des RechtsgefC 1. A Critique of Historiography: "Aufgabe und Methode der Rechtsgeschichtsschreibung" (1894)
2. Explaining History through Social Conditions and the Force of Progress:
"Das Schuldmoment im rC6mischen Privatrecht" (1867)
3. Evolutionary Histories: Jhering, Maine, and Holmes
1. Social Norms Beyond Law: "Der Zweck im Recht" (vol. II, 1884/1886)
2. A Critique of Social Norms: "Das Trinkgeld" (1882)
3. Toying with Pre-History: "Vorgeschichte der IndoeuropC$er" (1894)
4. The Fearless Amateur: Between Perceptiveness and Speculation
1. At the Home Front: Jhering in Twentieth Century Germany
2. A Global Perspective: Evidence of Worldwide Influence
3. Jhering's Reception in the United States: The Triumph of Instrumentalism
4. Specific Areas: Roman Law, Sociology of Law, Comparative Law

• By (author) Mathias Reimann