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Jhering

Rudolf von Jhering, commonly cited as Jhering (1818–1892), was a German jurist and legal philosopher. He is regarded as a foundational figure in sociological jurisprudence and in the study of law as a social instrument.

His best-known works include Der Kampf ums Recht (The Struggle for the Law), in which he argued

Jhering criticized formalism and natural-law theories for neglecting the social function of law. He urged careful

His ideas influenced later theorists in law and sociology, contributing to the turn toward empirical, functional,

that
legal
order
arises
from
the
contest
of
social
interests
and
that
the
effectiveness
of
law
depends
on
its
ability
to
advance
social
purposes.
He
also
developed
a
purposive
approach
to
law
in
Der
Zweck
im
Recht
(The
Purpose
in
Law),
emphasizing
that
the
meaning
and
validity
of
legal
norms
derive
from
the
ends
they
serve
for
society.
analysis
of
the
consequences
of
legal
rules
and
argued
that
jurists
should
orient
their
work
toward
practical
aims
and
the
public
good
rather
than
abstract
doctrine.
and
reform-oriented
perspectives
on
law
in
Germany
and
beyond.