Lectures on Jurisprudence / Edition 1

by Adam Smith, R. L. Meek

Overview

Smith’s Lectures on Jurisprudence, originally delivered at the University of Glasgow in 1762–1763, presents his “theory of the rules by which civil government ought to be directed.” The chief purpose of government, according to Smith, is to preserve justice; and “the object of justice is security from injury.” The state must protect the individual’s right to his person, property, reputation, and social relations.

Building on his Theory of Moral Sentiments, Smith argues that the state must act as an impartial spectator, judging when an individual has been injured. The state must then design and apply civil and criminal laws to prevent further injuries and punish transgressors. Laws are also the means by which the state promotes public prosperity. Thus, regulations concerning trade, commerce, and production must be crafted so as to encourage rather than interfere with our productive capacities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780865970113
Publisher:	Liberty Fund, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/01/1982
Series:	The Glasgow Edition of the Works of Adam Smith , #5
Pages:	618
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.55(d)
Lexile:	1390L (what's this?)
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

List of Abbreviations vii

Introduction 1

Acknowledgements 43

LECTURES ON JURISPRUDENCE
Report of 1762-3 1
Report dated 1766 395

APPENDIX
Introduction 561
'Early Draft' of Part of The Wealth of Nations 562
First Fragment on the Division of Labour 582
Second Fragment on the Division of Labour 585

Indexes 587

Index of Roman Law and Medieval Law Sources 587

Index of Acts of the English and United Kingdom Parliaments 588

Index of Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland 589

Index of Legal Cases 590

Index of Authorities 591

General Index 597