The Decline of Juridical Reason by N. E. Simmonds. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1984, 133 + (index) 4 pp (hardback £19.50) (original) (raw)

The Decline of Juridical Reason by N. E. Simmonds critiques the state of legal doctrine in contemporary law, particularly in Britain, arguing it has devolved into an incoherent and superficial practice. Simmonds advocates for a return to 'legal dogmatics' in order to preserve the intellectual integrity of legal reasoning against the backdrop of a market-driven legal system. The author examines the moral implications of legal doctrine, contrasting it with Marxist critiques while questioning the potential for a coherent liberal alternative.