Now let us for once frankly confess why we are dealt these disgraceful
reproaches. Let us agree that we have not studied or dealt
with jurisprudence as a science, have never envisaged it as an empirical
discipline; that the aprioristic and classical tradition had kept
this insight at a distance, and that where investigation and effort
toward the recognition of the true is lacking, there lacks everything
of the least scientific importance. To be scientifically legitimate,
we need first of all the installation of the disciplines of research
which shall have direct relationships with our proper task. In this
way only can we attain that spiritual independence by means of
spiritual freedom, which Goldschmidt defines as the affair of the
higher institutions of learning, and which is also the ideal of our own
business in life. And this task is not too great. ``Life is movement,''
cried Alois von Brinz,[1] in his magnificent inaugural address. ``Life
is not the thought, but the thinking which comes in the fullness of
action.''

It may be announced with joy and satisfaction, that since the
publication of the first edition of this book, and bearing upon it,
there came to life a rich collection of fortuitous works which have