Jurisprudence vs. Doctrine — What's the Difference?

Jurisprudence, or legal theory, is the theoretical study of law. Scholars of jurisprudence seek to explain the nature of law in its most general form and provide a deeper understanding of legal reasoning and analogy, legal systems, legal institutions, and the role of law in society.Modern jurisprudence began in the 18th century and was focused on the first principles of natural law, civil law, and the law of nations.

Doctrine (from Latin: doctrina, meaning "teaching, instruction") is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the essence of teachings in a given branch of knowledge or in a belief system. The etymological Greek analogue is "catechism".Often the word doctrine specifically suggests a body of religious principles as promulgated by a church.

The philosophy or science of law.

A principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief, as by a religious, political, scientific, or philosophic group; dogma.

A division, type, or particular body of law

A rule or principle of law, especially when established by precedent.

(legal) The theoretical study of law.

A statement of official government policy, especially in foreign affairs and military strategy.

(legal) Case law, or the body of case law regarding a certain subject.

(Archaic) Something taught; a teaching.

The science of juridical law; the knowledge of the laws, customs, and rights of men in a state or community, necessary for the due administration of justice.

(countable) A belief or tenet, especially about philosophical or theological matters.

The branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do

The body of teachings of an ideology, most often a religion, or of an ideological or religious leader, organization, group, or text.

The collection of rules imposed by authority;

(countable) A self-imposed policy governing some aspect of a country's foreign relations, especially regarding what sort of behavior it will or will not tolerate from other countries.

Teaching; instruction.

That which is taught; what is held, put forth as true, and supported by a teacher, a school, or a sect; a principle or position, or the body of principles, in any branch of knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith; as, the doctrine of atoms; the doctrine of chances.

A belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school