Die Interpretationstheorie der Reinen Rechtslehre

Hans Kelsen's main work "Pure Theory of Law" has attracted worldwide attention. However, the theory of legal interpretation contained therein has so far led a shadowy existence. This work attempts to shed light on it, including contributions by his disciples Alfred Verdross, Adolf Julius Merkl, Fritz Schreier, Elisabeth Ephrussi and Felix Kaufmann. As a result, the picture of a Theory of Interpretation of the Vienna School of Legal Theory (or: of the Pure Theory of Law) can be drawn. The result is the outline of a legal positivist theory of interpretation. It has already been the subject of continuation attempts. This work attempts to show that it is also relevant for non-positivist theories of legal interpretation.