Jurisprudence

Jurisprudence

jurisprudence


joor-is-PROO-dens

Definition

(noun) The theory or philosophy of law.

Example

The professor’s lectures focused on classical and modern jurisprudence.

Word Origin

Early 17th century: from late Latin jurisprudentia, from Latin jusjur- ‘law’ + prudentia ‘knowledge’.

Fun Fact

Jurisprudence isn’t just about laws—it’s about why laws exist, how they’re interpreted, and what they should achieve. It’s a cornerstone of legal education and is often divided into schools of thought: natural law, legal positivism, critical legal theory, and more. While lawyers practice law, jurisprudence is for those who want to debate the very foundations of justice.

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