Many eminent jurists have criticised the definition of Holland that jurisprudence is the formal science of positive law. On the other hand 'particular jurisprudence is the science of any such system of positive law as now actually obtains or once actually obtained in a specifically determined nation or specifically determined nations.ДЄustin's definition criticised by Salmond and Holland and other Jurists on the ground that it is not proper and appropriate to classify as the general Jurisprudence and Particular Jurisprudence.ДЄn English Jurist Sir Thomas Erskine Holland defines, Jurisprudence as, ' Jurisprudence is the formal science of positive law'' According to him jurisprudence should only concern itself with the basic principles of concepts underlying in any natural system of law. According to him 'General Jurisprudence is the philosophy of positive law. Viz 'general Jurisprudence and Particular Jurisprudence. In other words, jurisprudence is not a moral philosophy but it is a scientific and systematic study of the existing, actual and positive law has distinguished from natural, ideal or moral law.ДЄustin divides jurisprudence into two classes. He defines 'jurisprudence' as 'the philosophy of positive law.' He opines that the appropriate subject to jurisprudence is a positive law i.e. Some of the definitions of the term 'jurisprudence' given by various eminent jurists as under -ДЄustin was the first jurist to make jurisprudence as a science. It is very difficult to define term 'jurisprudence', However, several attempts were made in this context to define the term. Jurisprudence examines the general principles of law, therefore, Jurisprudence may be considered to be the study and systematic arrangements of the general principles of law. We definitely study these laws in detail when we study those branches of law separately. In jurisprudence, we have to study the basic principles of each of these branches and we are not concerned with the detailed rules of these laws. Thus, for example, there are various branches of law existing in the modern legal system such as contract, crime, trust, properties, companies, labour etc. not in the sense of concrete statutes but in the sense of principles underlying law. Therefore sometimes it is said that jurisprudence is that Jurisprudence is that science which gives us knowledge about 'law' but the term law we always use in its abstract sense i.e. It is mainly concerned with the rules of external conduct which people are compelled to obey. ' knowledge of the law' but in its limited sense evolution and explanation of general principles upon which actual rules of law are based. In this sense, Jurisprudence covers the whole body of legal principles in the world. Thus Jurisprudence signifies knowledge or science of law and its application. The word 'juris' means law and prudentia mean knowledge, science or skill. Taken in this sense, a principle cannot be patented but when by the principle of a machine is meant the modus operandi, the peculiar device or manner of producing any given effect, the application of the principle may be patented.The study of jurisprudence started with the Romans.The term Jurisprudence is derived from Latin word 'Jurisprudentia' which means either 'Knowledge of Law' or 'Skill of law'.

In physics, by principle is understood that which constitutes the essence of a body, or its constituent parts. The right to defend one's self, continues as long as an unjust attack, was a principle before it was ever decides by a court, so that a court does Dot establish but recognize principles of law. A principle of law is a rule or axiom which is founded in the nature of the subject, and it exists before it is expressed in the form of a rule. That they are so strongly impressed on our minds that we conform ourselves to them, whatever may be our avowed opinions.ДЇirst principles have their source in the sentiment of our own existence, and that which is in the nature of things. 2, That they are almost universally received. That they are so clear that they cannot be proved by anterior and more manifest truths. These principles have known marks by which they may always be recognized.

The other class are simply called first principles. They are of two kinds, one when the principle is universal, and these are known as axioms or maxims as, no one can transmit rights which he has not the accessory follows the principal, etc.

By this term is understood truths or propositions so clear that they cannot be proved nor contradicted, unless by propositions which are still clearer.

Principal definition law