The Opposite Mirrors

An Essay on the Conventionalist Theory of Institutions
1. Auflage. Softcover version of original hardcover Auflage 1995
ISBN: 978-90-481-4511-9
Verlag: Springer Netherlands

Buch, Englisch, 230 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 376 g

Reihe: Law and Philosophy Library

How do social institutions exist? How do they direct our conduct? defends the thesis that the existence of institutions is a conventional matter. Ultimately they exist because we believe in their existence, and because they play a role in our practical reasoning. Human action necessarily has an unpredictable aspect; human institutions perform an important task by reducing uncertainty in our interactions. The author applies this thesis to the most important institutions: the law and the monetary system. In his analysis he connects many traditional topics of the philosophy of law, social philosophy and the philosophy of social sciences in a new way. He discusses the nature of rules, authority, and power and analyzes the Hobbesian presuppositions which have been dominant in legal theory and in the economic analyses of the state.
The book is written for legal theorists as well as for political and social philosophers, and theoretically oriented social scientists.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Lagerspetz, E.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Sozialphilosophie, Politische Philosophie
• Rechtswissenschaften Recht, Rechtswissenschaft Allgemein Rechtstheorie, Rechtsmethodik, Rechtsdogmatik, Rechtsprechungslehre
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Rechtsphilosophie, Rechtsethik
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Theorie, Politische Philosophie
• Rechtswissenschaften Recht, Rechtswissenschaft Allgemein Rechtsphilosophie, Rechtsethik
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein Gesellschaftstheorie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Methodological Remarks.- 2. Game Theory and Mutual Beliefs.- 3. An Example: Money.- 4. The Concept of Authority.- 5. Authority and Coordination.- 6. The Foundations of Legal Systems.- 7. Conventionalism and Law.- 8. Efficacy and Obligation.- 9. The Role of Force.- 10. Conclusions.- Index of Names.