The essays in this book treat important aspects of most of the major themes in contemporary philosophy of law and legal theory. Many of the essays are relatively original. All reveal the distinctive authenticity of the author's work, for he is not only a reputable legal theorist but an internationally known scholar of private law, and for many years chair of the Bielefelder Kreis, an international group of legal theorists who have jointly authored major works comparing methodologies of statutory interpretation and precedent.