“The purpose of law is to protect and promote the flourishing of persons. Accordingly, the richest understanding of the law is an anthropological one, obtained by inquiry into its underwriting premises about human identity and thriving. In order to be fully wise, just, and humane, the means and ends of the law must correspond to the reality of human life, humanly lived.”
This is how O. Carter Snead states the basic premise of his recent book, What It Means to Be Human. He thus recasts attractively what can appear to be a frumpy traditional view, that “the goal of the lawgiver is the virtue of his citizens” (Aristotle), while putting a classical spin on Jefferson’s notion of the “pursuit of happiness.” …