Written by an international assembly of distinguished philosophers and legal theorists, The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Law and Legal Theory brings into focus the central contemporary themes and issues in the area. Each of the 23 essays incorporates essential background material and advances key arguments. Topics include legal positivism, natural law theory, critical legal theory, American Legal Realism, feminist legal theory, criminal law, contract law, tort law, evidence, obligation, theories of rights, punishment, legal reasoning, objectivity, theories of law, continental perspectives on law, and many others.