The Law Library recommends a new publication by Prof. Tomasz Pietrzykowski from the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Silesia in Katowice, titled The Reality of Law, published by the University of Silesia Press in electronic format.
The author, who specializes in the theory and philosophy of law, bioethics, public policy, and the methodology of legal sciences, is the head of the Department of Philosophy of Law and Interdisciplinary Legal Studies, as well as the founder and director of the Research Center for Public Policy and Regulatory Issues.
The book attempts to present law from a naturalistic perspective, taking into account not only the system of legal norms but also the psychological and social mechanisms of its functioning. The author analyzes law as a phenomenon rooted in human needs, values, emotions, and goals, as well as in the relationships between individuals and institutions. He highlights the importance of decision-making processes, motivations, and behaviors that influence both the creation and application of the law.
The publication takes the form of a philosophical-legal essay. As the author emphasizes, its goal is to seek a broader picture of the law by synthesizing findings from various disciplines and research traditions. He draws inspiration from, among other sources, legal positivism, legal realism, sociological studies of law, behavioral and economic analyses, and public choice theory. The author’s own experiences with the creation and application of law within administrative, organizational, and economic structures also serve as an important point of reference.
The book’s thematic scope covers eight topics: the evolutionary-psychological foundations of law, the values and purposes of law, legal facts, the creation and application of law, legal subjectivity, the relationship between morality and law, and the study of law.
The Reality of Law is intended for readers interested not only in legal dogmatics but also in the philosophical and social foundations of law. The publication encourages critical reflection on how law is created, functions, and influences the social reality of which it is itself a part.
The electronic version is available on the University of Silesia Press website:
Go to the book “The Reality of Law”