Rethinking Indian Jurisprudence

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Law

Aakash Singh Rathore author Garima Goswamy author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:18th Dec '20

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Rethinking Indian Jurisprudence cover

What is law? What is the source of law? What is the law for? How does law differ from other norms or codes of conduct? What is the difference between law and morality? Who is obligated to follow the law and why? What is the difference between moral and legal obligation?

This book addresses these foundational questions about the law in general, and seeks to reorient our thoughts to the specific nature of law in India, the India of today, and the possible India of the future.

This volume:



  • covers relevant foundational elements, concepts and questions of the discipline;


  • brings the uniqueness of Indian Philosophy of Law to the fore;


  • critically analyzes the major theories of jurisprudence;


  • examines legal debates on secularism, rationality, religion, rights and caste politics; and


  • presents useful cases and examples, including free speech, equality and reservation, queer law, rape and security, and the ethics of organ donation.


Lucid and accessible, the book will be indispensable to students, teachers and scholars of law, philosophy, politics as well as philosophy of law, sociology of law, legal theory and jurisprudence.

‘Legal philosophy has long been dominated by Western ideas and leading figures. This important new book surveys these concepts and contributions, and then brings them into conversation with indigenous Indian thought. The result is fascinating and opens up radically new perspectives for jurisprudence.’

Thom Brooks, Professor and Chair of Law and Government and Dean at Durham Law School, UK

‘Finally a book which rights the wrongs inflicted upon "Jurisprudence" in Indian Law schools. Bridging classic western legal philosophy with Indian intellectual traditions and praxis, Rethinking Indian Jurisprudence will inaugurate a new pedagogical practice in law’

Kalpana Kannabiran, Professor and Director, Council for Social Development, Hyderabad, India

‘A lively, provocative, and accessible book, which encourages the reader to think on and explore further the mystery and miracle of legal philosophy, otherwise alien to the learning of modern law in India.’

Upendra Baxi, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Warwick, UK and Distinguished Professor of Law, National Law University, Delhi, India

ISBN: 9780367735326

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 258g

218 pages