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Law as a moral idea contains an important and original theory of the nature of law by a profound and brilliant thinker it deserves to be read and carefully pondered by anyone seeking to gain a greater understanding of law in the modern world sean coyle journal of moral philosophy. This book argues that the institutions of law and the structures of legal thought are to be understood by reference to a moral ideal the idea of law is an ideal of freedom or independence from the power of others the moral value and justificatory force of law are not contingent upon circumstance but intrinsic to its character as law. The idea of law is an ideal of freedom or independence from the power of others the moral value and justificatory force of law are not contingent upon circumstance but intrinsic to its character as law doctrinal legal arguments are shaped by rival conceptions of the conditions for realization of the idea of law. Law as a moral idea 63 morally neutral tools take for example the practice of justice as immanuel kant points out a merchant who acts merely from self interest may eschew opportunities to overcharge the inexperienced since by maintaining a fixed general price for everyone he makes it possible for all even children to deal with him