A summary of lecture notes unit 01.docx

1
A Summary of Lecture Handouts
Asmatullah Kakar
Email: asmat.ulc@uob.edu.pk
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
PART I: INTRODUCTION TO JURISPRUDENCE
Unit 01 Jurisprudence asa Science
Outline:
1. Etymology of Jurisprudence
2. Subject-matter of Jurisprudence
3. Definition of Jurisprudence
4. Classification of Jurisprudence
5. Scope of Jurisprudence
6. Utility of Jurisprudence
7. Relationship of Jurisprudence with other Social Science
Reading List
MAHAJAN, V.D, JURISPRUDENCE AND LEGAL THEORY, 5TH
ED., 1987, EASTERN BOOK
COMPANY, REPRINTED 2011, CHAPTER 1 (pp. 1-22)
FITZGERALD, P.J., SALMOND ON JURISPRUDENCE, 12TH
ED., 1966, SWEET &
MAXWELL LTD., REPRINTED BY NATIONAL BOOK FOUNDATION, PAKISTAN,
CHAPTER 1 (pp. 1-5)
VISHWANADHAM, LELLALA, JURISPRUDENCE IN RELATIONS WITH OTHER SOCIAL
SCIENCES, VSRD-TNTJ, VOLUME 3, (5), 2012, 197-202
TUR, R.H.S., WHAT IS JURISPRUDENCE, THE PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY, VOL. 28,
NO. 111, (APR., 1978), PP. 149-161

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
ETYMOLOGY OF JURISPRUDENCE
Literal Meaning of Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is derived from two Latin words: Juris means law, and Prudentia means
knowledge, study, philosophy, science or art. Hence, literally it means knowledge,
study, philosophy, science or art of law.
Counterpart Terminologies
The counterpart terminology of jurisprudence in France is la philosophie du droit which
means ‘the philosophy of rights, i.e. of law’.
Its counterpart terminology in German is Rechtsphilosophie, i.e. ‘the philosophy of
rights.
Usage of the Term Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence has been used to denote different things:
In the Institutes of Justinian it was defined as the knowledge of what is just and unjust.
In sixteenth century in Europe it was used to signify the knowledge of Roman Law
In France it has been used to for collection of the principles relating to a particular field
of law, e.g., equity jurisprudence, criminal jurisprudence etc.
It is also used to denote the whole corpus (body) of law of a particular country, e.g.
Pakistan Jurisprudence, English Jurisprudence, American Jurisprudence etc.
It has also been used express the collection of the decisions of a Courts, i.e. Case Laws,
e.g. ICC Jurisprudence, Jurisprudence of Supreme Court of Pakistan etc.
Current Meaning
However, the term Jurisprudence with which we are concerned in LL.B., shall mean
the knowledge of law. This is scientific or analytical knowledge of the law in abstract
sense or first principles of law.

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
SUBJECT-MATTER OF JURISPRUDENCE
Simply subject-matter of jurisprudence is law, as it is the study of law.
Law is basically comprised on rules that regulate the conduct of human beings with the
object to establish justice in societies.
But what type of law is its subject-matter? To find the answer to this question let us see
the different types of law.
Types of Law
This is the broad typology of law based on its nature. Therefore, it shall not be confused
with the classification of law to be discussed in Unit # 02, which is based on the
branches of law of a particular legal system.
The broad typology of law may be given as under:
I. God-made Law:
The rules that have been set by divine wisdom for the functioning of universe and
conduct of the universals.
God-made law is either Law of Nature or Divine Law
1. Law of Nature:
The law set by divine wisdom for the functioning of universe or universals and
which is discoverable through the observations and reasoning of human beings
Law of Nature is again of two types:
(a). Physical Law:
The Law set by divine wisdom for universe and universals other than human
beings and which may be discoverable through observations.
(b). Natural Law:
The law set by divine wisdom for the conduct of human beings in societies,
discoverable through the reasoning of human beings on the basis of Right
and Wrong judgmental standard.

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
2. Divine law:
The law that has been set by God to regulate the conduct of human beings, and
has been revealed through religious scriptures, e.g. Quran and Hadith, Bible etc.
Note: Both Natural Law and Divine Law are collectively known as Ethical, Moral or
philosophical Laws. As these laws are creating an ideal human behavior, therefore, they
are also called as LAW AS IT OUGHT TO BE
II. Man-made Law:
The law set by human being to regulate the conduct of other human being.
It is also known as Actual Law, analytical law, scientific law or LAW AS IT IS, as it
is the law which has actually posited in the society by a determinate person.
It is also called positive law as it is the law, actually posited in the society.
Moreover, Man-made Law or Positive Law is of two kinds:
1. ‘The Law’ Or ‘Law in Abstract Sense’:
‘Law in abstract sense’ or ‘the law’ means the most fundamental and general
principles derived from different legal systems of the world
According to Salmond, ‘the Law’ or ‘Law in Abstract Sense’ means, the first
principles of civil law.
Law in the abstract sense or the law is denoted in Latin by jus, in French by
droit and in Germen by recht.
2. ‘A Law’ or ‘Law in Concrete Sense’:
Law in Concrete Sense or ‘a law’ means a particular statute or enactment,
e.g. Pakistan Penal Code, Contract Act etc.
This is actual law applicable in the state and practical in courts.
Law in concrete sense or a law is denoted in Latin by lex, in French by loi
and in Germen by gesetz.
Discussion
Now there are centuries old debate on the subject-matter of jurisprudence.

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
Naturalist admit the status of positive law but they insist that positive laws are inferior
to natural law. Hence, they think that jurisprudence is the study of both natural law and
positive law.
Positivists deny the status of natural law at all and they are of the view that the only
subject-matter of jurisprudence is positive law.
Even among positivists majority think that jurisprudence is the study of positive law in
abstract sense or it is the study of ‘the law’.
While others think that jurisprudential study should not be limited to abstract law only.
Every study concerning the legal relations or law is the subject-matter of jurisprudence.
Therefore, they also include ‘a law’ or law in concrete sense in the study of
jurisprudence.
However, every intellectual inquiry demands the clear boundaries of its subject-matter.
Therefore, jurisprudential study must be limited to the essence of law or law in abstract
sense.
Furthermore, there is also a debate among the jurists that whether jurisprudence is
philosophical study or scientific/analytical study.
Obviously, naturalists think it as philosophical study and positivists think it as scientific
or analytical study.
There is also an intermediate school which think that this is both philosophical and
scientific study, which seems true, as jurisprudence is not only discussing the
fundamental principles of law, but it is also concerned with the question ‘what is law’.
Which sometimes may be answered philosophically.
DEFINITION OF JURISPRUDENCE
How Can Jurisprudence be defined?
There are three main sets of issues in defining jurisprudence as under:
Whether Jurisprudence is a philosophical study or analytical/scientific study?

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
Whether jurisprudence is the study of God-made Law or Man-made Law or is it the
study of both the laws?
Whether Jurisprudence is the study of law in abstract sense or law in concrete sense or
it is the study of law in both the senses?
Therefore, first of all you have to answer the aforesaid three queries at your own and
once you have formed your own understanding of the above issues, then you can define
jurisprudence with some ease.
Definition of Jurisprudence by Eminent Jurists
1. Ulpian: A celebrated Roman Jurist Ulpian says:
“Jurisprudence is the observation of things human and divine, the knowledge of the just and
the unjust.”
2. John Austin: In his book The Province of Jurisprudence Determined, he describes
jurisprudence as:
“The philosophy of positive law.”
3. Sir Thomas Erskine Holland: Holland had explored his idea of law and jurisprudence
in his book The Elements of Jurisprudence, published in 1880. According to him:
“Jurisprudence is the formal study of positive law.”
4. Salmond: Salmond defines jurisprudence as:
“The science of the first principles of civil Law.”
5. Keeton: According to Keeton jurisprudence is:
“The study and systematic arrangement of the general rules of law.”
6. C.K. Allen: He defines jurisprudence as:
“The scientific synthesis of all the essential principles of law.”
7. Roscoe Pound: According Roscoe Pound jurisprudence is:
“The science of social engineering.”
Therefore, it may be concluded that Jurisprudence is the scientific study of the essence or
spirit of positive law.

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
CLASSIFICATION OF JURISPRUDENCE
Three leading jurists have tried to classify jurisprudence, namely, Bentham, John
Austin and Salmond
Bentham’s Classification
Bentham was the first who demarcated natural/ethical and positive law. He classified
Jurisprudence into two kinds:
1. Censorial Jurisprudence
The study of ethical, natural or philosophical law.
2. Expositorial Jurisprudence
The study of positive law
John Austin’s Classification
John Austin rejects the Censorial Jurisprudence of Bentham and only subscribes to his
Expositorial Jurisprudence and bifurcates it into two branches.
1. General Jurisprudence
The study of the law in abstract sense.
2. Particular Jurisprudence
The study of law of a particular legal system or of a particular kind of a legal system.
For example, English Jurisprudence, Pak-Jurisprudence, Medical Jurisprudence,
Environmental Jurisprudence, Commercial Jurisprudence etc.

8
Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
Salmond’s Classification
Salmond classify jurisprudence in following kinds:
1. Systematic Jurisprudence
It is the exposition of the legal system as it is now (law as it is). In other words this
jurisprudence deals with the present legal system. It is also known as Legal
Exposition.
2. Historical Jurisprudence
It is the study of the origin and evolution of a legal system through ages, or in the
words of Salmond it is concerned with the legal system in the process of its
evolution. In other words it deals with past of the legal system. It is also known as
Legal History.
3. Critical Jurisprudence
It is the study of law as it ought to be. It visualizes the future ideal legal system. It
is commonly known as Science of Legislation.
SCOPE, LIMIT OR PROVINCE OF JURISPRUDENCE
In primitive ages there existed a confusion between law and morality, hence, the jurists
of that time like Ulpian, were considering the subject-matter of jurisprudence as
consisted of both morality and law.
But thanks to Bentham and Austin who laid down the foundation of the theory of
Analytical or Positive Law (or law as it is), which separated Law from morality and

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
Actual Law from Natural Law. Therefore, positivists started believing that
Jurisprudence is the study of positive law only.
Majority of the jurists also agreed that jurisprudence should not discuss a particular
legal system or branch of a legal system. It should, rather, discuss the essence of law,
or the most fundamental principles, or first principles of law, which is known as the
law.
Moreover, the modern thinkers like Roscoe Pound, once again seem like including
everything in jurisprudence. They are widening the scope of jurisprudence by
contending that every study if concerned with law, no matter under whatever subject
that might have been undertaken, shall be within the province of jurisprudence. They
are also of the view that jurisprudence can study both ‘the law’ or law in abstract sense
and ‘a law’ or law in concrete sense.
However, still majority of the jurists subscribe to the traditional view, that jurisprudence
is limited to the study of positive law in abstract sense.
UTILITY, USEFULNESS, ADVANTAGES, MERITS, VALUE OR
SIGNIFICANCE OF JURISPRUDENCE
Some people contend that jurisprudence is having no practical value. But this view is not
correct. The significance of Jurisprudence may be given as under:
Intrinsic Values: Such fascination of the jurists by the theories and literature of
jurisprudence in the same way as mathematicians are overwhelmed by their technique
of numbers.

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
Generalization: It brings simplicity and generalization of legal rules, so that a mastery
of one field may helpful in understanding of other fields of law.
Eye of Law: It presents the whole structure of legal systems in a nutshell, therefore, it
is considered as an eye with which the legal world can be seen.
Grammar of Law: It is defining the general notions of law and discusses their
legitimate uses, e.g. legal right, mens rea, property, legal person etc., therefore, it may
also be regarded as grammar of law.
Educational Value: It is discussing the legal concepts in more comprehensive manner,
therefore, it provides an in-depth knowledge of law.
Legal Trainer: Jurisprudence is mostly concerned with arguments and logics,
therefore, it sharpens the argumentative skill of the lawyers which may help them in
contesting their cases in a court of law.
Legislative Value: It provides a depth of concise legal terminology and analyses,
therefore, it may help the legislators to understand a particular term.
RELATION OF JURISPRUDENCE AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES
Jurisprudence is studying law, law is regulating the conduct of individuals and
individuals are living and forming societies. Therefore, law is an important social
phenomenon which is making jurisprudence as a Social Science.
However, there are several other Social Science, like Ethics, Political Science,
Sociology, Psychology etc. Now, it is logical that these social science should be
interlinked with each other at some point.

11
Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
Moreover, these social sciences could not studied in isolation. In other words, none of
these sciences can be understand with having a fair knowledge of others.
Jurisprudence, being a social science is, in fact, related with other social sciences and
this relationship can be discussed as under:
1. Jurisprudence and Sociology
Jurisprudence is the study of law and sociology is the study of society and it is
also discusses law but from a different stand-point.
Therefore there is a link between jurisprudence and sociology.
Jurisprudence is concerned with legal rules that actually exists, however,
sociology is studying the effectiveness of those legal rules and their impacts on
society.
2. Jurisprudence and Politics
Politics studies the principles responsible for the governmental organization.
Whereas, jurisprudence is analyzing those principles.
Moreover, in a political society there exist rules for the regulation of human
being conduct which are the subject-matter of jurisprudence. Hence, there is a
close connection between the two.
3. Jurisprudence and Ethics
Ethics is the science of human conduct. It projects an ideal human behavior, in
the light of which it suggests a course of conduct for individuals living in
societies. Whereas, jurisprudence is discussing the imperative rules, actually

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
existing in the societies. However, those rules are also connected with the
behavior of human beings in societies.
Therefore, both of the science are interrelated.
Due to the close relationship and interdependency of these sciences, there
emerged a branch of jurisprudence known as Ethical Jurisprudence, discussing
the ideal human behavior or which is the study of law as it ought to be.
4. Jurisprudence and Psychology
Psychology is the ‘science of mind and behavior’, whereas, jurisprudence is
discussing law.
Law is aimed to be followed by individuals, and individuals can only follow law
if they intend to follow.
Therefore, intention is the very basic element behind every law, and particularly
in criminal law the concept of mens rea is having immense importance.
Therefore, jurisprudence and psychology both are closely inter-related human
sciences.
5. Jurisprudence and Economics
Economics is the science of wealth and jurisprudence is the science of law.
Economics studies the production and distribution of wealth and law is
responsible for establishing a fair distribution of wealth through rules.

13
Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
Moreover, studies show that economic factors are responsible for the increasing
rate of criminal activities, which again brings the two in close relation with each
other.
Furthermore, economics aims at improvement of the standards of human lives
whereas, this could not possible if a peaceful environment is not available which
is possible through the application of laws.
Therefore, there is a close relationship between the two.
6. Jurisprudence and History
History is the scientific narration of the past events, whereas, jurisprudence is
the science of law.
Law has not come into existence overnight, as a matter of fact, it has developed
through ages.
History helps jurisprudence in digging out the origin and evolution of different
legal rules.
Owing to its importance, there developed a separate branch of jurisprudence,
known as Historical Jurisprudence.
Therefore, it may concluded that there is a close relation between jurisprudence
and history.

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
EXERCISES
I. SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
A. Textual Questions
Question 1: What is the literal meaning of Jurisprudence? Discuss the definitions of
jurisprudence given by eminent jurists.
Question 2: What is the legitimate subject-matter of Jurisprudence according to you?
Discuss.
Question 3: Discuss in detail the classification of jurisprudence undertaken by different
jurists.
Question 4: ‘Jurisprudence is the study of positive law’. Critically discuss the statement.
Question 5: Do you of the view that the province/scope of Jurisprudence should be
circumscribed? Give your reasons.
Question 6: ‘Jurisprudence is devoid of any practical value’. Give a critical exposition
of the statement.
Question 7: ‘Jurisprudence is an interdisciplinary science’. Explain the statement.
B. Conceptual Questions
Question 1: An advocate is arguing in a court of law about the invalidity of a particular
section of PPC. He argues ‘My Lord, this very provision is inconsistent with
the principles of the law set by God. Therefore, this Court should not base
its decision on this provision as decree of God is final not that of man’.
To which School of Jurisprudence, the advocate is belonging? Please
critically examine his argument in your own words.
Question 2: In the preface of a book on Contract Act of Pakistan, its writer contends that
‘this is a valuable addition in jurisprudential scholarship’.
Please give a full critique of his statement.
Question 3: An anchor person plans to record a TV talk show on the topic The Law of
Crimes in Pakistan, to be discussed by the renowned advocates and
academicians of the country. He wants you to prepare two separate
questionnaires of both Abstract and Concrete Law.

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
Please draft the above questionnaires for him. Each questionnaire must
contain at least ten questions.
Question 4: One of your friends, who is an advocate, is suggesting you not to give much
time in studying jurisprudence as it cannot help you in pleading your cases
in court.
Are you agree with him? If not, please give a detailed account of the reasons
in refuting his claim.
II. OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
A. Multiple Choice Questions: Choose the correct choice.
1. Jurisprudence is derived from two _______ words, juris and prudentia.
(a). Greek (b). Latin (c). English
(d). French (e). None of above
2. Juris means _______ while prudentia means ________.
(a). justice/reason (b). law/power (c). knowledge/law
(d). law/knowledge (e). None of above
3. In French, the equivalent expression for Jurisprudence is ________
(a). Rechphilosophie (b). Droit administratiff (c). La philosophie du droit
(d). Jus fatiale (e). None of above
4. The law set by divine wisdom for the conduct of human beings is known as _______.
(a). Positive Law (b). Negative Law (c). Analytical Law
(d). Natural Law (e). None of above
5. Ulpian was a Jurist___________.
(a). Greek (b). English (c). Roman
(d). Italian (e). None of above
6. The book The Province of Jurisprudence Determined was written by ________.
(a). Jeremy Bentham (b). Holland (c). Salmond
(d). Roscoe Pound (e). None of above
7. Ethical law is also known as ___________.
(a). law as it is (b). law as it ought to be (c). law as it was
(d). law it was to be (e). None of above
8. Positive law means the law which is ________in the society.
(a). actually posited (b). of divine nature (c). repealed
(d). not existing (e). None of above
9. Law in abstract sense means ________ law.

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Asmatullah Kakar
Mob: 0092 (0) 313 384 238 4
JURISPRUDENCE
(a). the law (b). a law (c). multiple law
(d). common law (e). None of above
10.Law in concrete sense means __________.
(a). statutory law (b). divine law (c). natural law
(d). essence of law (e). None of above
B. True and False Statements: Which of the following statements are TRUE
and which are FALSE.
1. Jurisprudence is derived from two Greek words juris and
prudentia which respectively means, law and knowledge.
2. Rechtphilosophie means ‘the philosophy of right’.
3. Salmond defines Jurisprudence as ‘the philosophy of
positive law’.
4. Law as it ought to be means ethical law or moral law.
5. Positive law means law as it is or analytical law.
[TRUE/FALSE]
[TRUE/FALSE]
[TRUE/FALSE]
[TRUE/FALSE]
[TRUE/FALSE]

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