From Natural Law to Public Philosophy

2020 ◽  
pp. 114-127
Author(s):  
W J Stankiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Natural Law ◽  
Public Philosophy

From Public Sociology to Public Philosophy: Lessons for Law and Society

2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (04) ◽  
pp. 1137-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul van Seters
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Natural Law ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Public Sociology ◽  
Legal Positivism ◽  
Law And Society ◽  
Public Philosophy ◽  
The Social

The late Philip Selznick's final book, A Humanist Science, examines the role of values and ideals in the social sciences, including the study of law and society. Throughout his academic career, Selznick was committed to what he called “legal naturalism,” a sociological version of the natural‐law perspective, while his critics continue to adhere to various forms of positivism. But the age‐old opposition between natural law and legal positivism today may be giving way to the quest for public sociology—a sociology that promotes public reflection on significant social issues and thus functions as a moral and political force. A Humanist Science ends with a strong plea for public philosophy. Public philosophy overlaps with public sociology but is a much stronger concept. Selznick's message of public philosophy may be another of his enduring contributions to the field of law and society.

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