Norms in Law and Society: Towards a Definition of the Socio-Legal Concept of Norms
Author
Editor
- Matthias Baier
Summary, in English
The aim of this paper is to present a model for creating a more coherent concept, designed to meet the demands of the multidisciplinary field of Sociology of Law. This model is built on an ontological analysis that can incorporate different perspectives. The suggested analysis is mainly founded on the Aristotelian concepts of ‘essence’ and ‘accident.’ Thus, the method is concerned with distinguishing between norms’ ‘essential’ attributes that lie in their (the norms’) nature, (together they form the general definition of the socio-legal concept of norms); and other ‘accidental’ attributes that are characteristic within certain groups of norms (for example social and legal). The socio-legal concept of norms, presented here, acknowledges three essential attributes that define the nature of norms. The first two are relating to the dual ontological existence/shape of norms and the third to the importance of acknowledging the behavioural dimension. Hence, all types of norms (for example, social, legal, etc.) have two ontological attributes and one behavioural. Accordingly, norms are: (a) imperatives; (b) social facts; and (c) beliefs.
Department/s
- Department of Sociology of Law
- Centre for Work, Technology and Social Change (WTS)
Publishing year
2013
Language
English
Pages
39-52
Publication/Series
Social and Legal Norms
Full text
- Available as PDF - 462 kB
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Document type
Book chapter
Publisher
Ashgate
Topic
- Law and Society
Keywords
- Muzafer Sherif
- law
- social norms
- law and society
- sociology of law
- Émile Durkheim
- Hans Kelsen
- legal pluralism
- theory
Status
Published
Research group
- Cybernorms