The Path of the Law

Exploring the nature of law and its moral implications, this classic work by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. challenges traditional views by asserting that judges actively shape law through practical effects rather than merely discovering it. Holmes distinguishes law from morality, introducing the provocative concept of the "bad man" to illustrate how legal principles are rooted in societal reactions rather than ethical ideals. This edition includes a new biographical introduction by Steven Alan Childress, making it an essential read for aspiring lawyers and scholars alike.