THE CONCEPT, MEANING AND NATURE OF LAW: TOWARD A GENERAL CONCEPTUAL AND ONTOLOGICAL CONFIGURATION OF LAW

Abstract

This  paper  critically  ruminates  on  the  concept,  meaning  and nature of law, as a means of attempting a general conceptual and ontological  configuration  of  law.  The  paper  argues  that  to properly  configure  the  true  nature  of  positive  laws  otherwise called  jurisprudential  laws  in  relation  to  law  per  se,  the philosopher transcends the formalistic and materialistic (empirical and descriptive) study of law to the transcendental (prescriptive)  examination  of  law  not  just  in  its  ontological descriptive  dimension,  but  most  essentially  in  relation  to  its normative or prescriptive form. The rational law of nature is the seal and imprimatur of derivative laws. In lieu, I further argue that consequent upon the prescriptive nature of the law of nature, and the concomitant rational nature of man, positive laws cannot but inexorably be morally biased. Because it is in the rational nature of man to discern what is morally permissible as far as law which is an ad hoc modality for social control and social intercourse is concern. Hence, in the making, interpretation and adjudication of law (litigation), man's moral idiosyncrasies must unavoidably come to bear (ie, law in every instance of its existence is subject to moral  approbation  and  disapprobation).  This  of  course  is responsible for the controversial nature of law because of the element of relativism that is associated to the conceptualization of morality.