What is the fundamental nature of a rule and how does it constrain or facilitate decision-making in both legal and non-legal contexts? Frederick Schauer, a prominent legal philosopher, investigates the inherent tension between rule-based decision-making and the pursuit of optimal outcomes in individual cases. He argues that rules, by their very nature, require a degree of resistance to the specific facts of a situation, thereby creating a unique framework for authority and predictability.

Legal scholars and philosophers frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the mechanics of rule-based systems. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored for those interested in jurisprudence and analytical philosophy.