The Sociological Theory Of Law: The Sociological School Of Jurisprudence

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INTRODUCTION
The Sociological School of jurisprudence considers law or legal development from the perspective of the people in the society. Perceiving law as a social phenomenon, it posits the harmonization of law with the wishes and aspirations of the people. In other words, it insists on the harmony between law and the interests of the people. Therefore, if law becomes inconsistent with the people or even violates their interests or expectation, such law is not worth it. Such law is not people-oriented. The sociological approach considers the here and now of the people. This approach offers a window of opportunity for legislators and reformers to take into account contemporary interests of the people in the performance of their duties.
SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH
The term ‘sociology,’ which was invented by Comte (1798-1857), is the study of the behavioral pattern of people in relation to their environment or surroundings. Within the purview of sociology, law is regarded as a social phenomenon which reflects human needs and aspiration.
Faris defines sociology as: branch of the science of human behavior that seeks to discover the causes and effects that arise in social relations among persons and in the intercommunication and interaction among persons and groups. …show more content…

In other words, sociological approach to jurisprudence is the study of law in its social setting or as a social institution. In his Mechanical Jurisprudence (1908), Roscoe Pound explains that sociological movement in jurisprudence is: movement for pragmatism as a philosophy of law; for the adjustment of principles and doctrines to the human conditions they are to govern rather than to assumed first principles; for putting the human factor in the central place and relegating logic to its true position as an

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