The Metaphorical Aspect of Hans Kelsen’s Pure Theory of Law
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RIS BIB ENDNOTEThe Metaphorical Aspect of Hans Kelsen’s Pure Theory of Law
Publication date: 19.12.2018
Principia, 2018, Volume 65, pp. 185-206
https://doi.org/10.4467/20843887PI.18.008.9891Authors
The Metaphorical Aspect of Hans Kelsen’s Pure Theory of Law
The article examines the cognitive, metaphorical dimension of the pure theory of law and demonstrates that Hans Kelsen used metaphorical language in his description of law, and unintentionally created a unique set of cognitive metaphors in order to make a theory of law focused on the abstract “Ought” world comprehensible. The paper argues that it would be impossible for Kelsen to describe norms without metaphors. The paper uses Lakoff and Johnson’s theory as a framework for the interpretation of this metaphorical aspect of the pure theory of law. Hence the following paragraphs will examine the cognitive context of the abstract categories crucial for the pure theory of law, such as: the category of Ought, imputation, basic norms and the dynamic (hierarchical) structure of law. This article is based on the position that an analysis of the cognitive dimension of the pure theory of law might yield promising results which could reveal new aspects of the central categories in this theory. This article is an attempt to explore the possibilities provided by merging these two theories and checking if the result brings some new knowledge about the pure theory of law and legal thinking in general.
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Information: Principia, 2018, Volume 65, pp. 185-206
Article type: Original article
Titles:
The Metaphorical Aspect of Hans Kelsen’s Pure Theory of Law
Department of Theory and Philosophy of Law, Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Lodz
Published at: 19.12.2018
Article status: Open
Licence: CC BY-NC-ND
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