The Sociological School

The sociological school of jurisprudence is, in general, “a product of the 20th century. Its approach to the analysis of law differs from that of the other schools in that it is concerned less with the nature and origin of law than with its actual functions and end results. The proponents of sociological jurisprudence seek to view law within a broad social context rather than as an isolated phenomenon distinct from and independent of other means of social control. They are concerned with practical improvement of the legal system and feel that this can be achieved only if legislation and court adjudications take into account the findings of other branches of learning, particularly the social sciences. The American jurist Roscoe Pound was a prominent figure in the school of sociological jurisprudence.”(1)

Other Schools of Jurisprudence

In the last decades, others principal schools of jurisprudence are:

• the analytical school,
• the natural-law school,
• the historical school,
• the comparative school

Resources

Notes

1. “Jurisprudence,”Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000. Contributed By William O. Douglas, M.A., LL.B., LL.D. Late Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

See Also

Science or Theory of Law
Legal Positivism
Hans Kelsen
Natural Law
Schools of legal theories