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What are the three main branches of jurisprudence?
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Philosophy of law
Plato, marble portrait bust copied from an original of the 4th century bce; in the Capitoline Museums, Rome.
In the study of jurisprudence, or the philosophy of law, the field is generally divided into three primary branches:1
- Analytical jurisprudence: This branch focuses on defining legal terms, articulating axioms, and prescribing methods to view the law as a logical, internally consistent system. It examines the law specifically in terms of its logical structure.12
- Sociological jurisprudence: This branch investigates the actual effects of law within society, analyzing how social phenomena influence both the substantive and procedural aspects of the legal order.1
- Theoretical jurisprudence: This branch is dedicated to evaluating and criticizing the law based on the ideals or goals postulated for it.1