Jurisprudence

Properly, scientific statement of genal legal principles. Modern writers on this subject are generally divided into the positive and historical schools: the former basing all law upon the authority of the State, and refusing the term to any rule which is not expre ly or impliedly commanded by the State: the latter holding that the law of every State is constantly changing under the influence of historic forces, and that a considerable portion of it at any given time rests not on the command of the sovereign power, but upon involuntary habit. At present many writers disclaim cla ification in either of the foregoing schools, and are attempting, by the comparative study of various legal systems, to reach a scientific statement of legal doctrine which shall be worthy of the title.