Law is a rule of conduct that is developed and enforced by governments or societies on a wide range of topics, including crime, trade, social relations, property, finance, and more. Its purpose is to control and govern human behavior and to protect people from harm or injustice.
Legal Term Explained:
The word “law” comes from the Latin word lege, meaning “a laying down.” It means something set in place or laid down. It can refer to rules and regulations, or it can refer to a document, such as a constitution, that sets forth the basic principles of a country’s government and legal system.
A common example of the word law is found in the phrase, “It’s a law that you can’t throw anything up in space and not come down.” This is a general rule, based on consistent reality, which is what a law is supposed to be.
Definitions of Law:
One common approach to understanding the concept of law is to accept that words, like “law” can be stretched to fit new situations. This approach is also sometimes called an apologetic approach to law, because it suggests that the law should be clearly defined so that everyone can understand what is meant by it.
Another common view of law is that it is a system that guides people in their actions and helps them plan for their future. In this context, the law must be clear, publicized, and stable so that people can have confidence in it, and it must be evenly applied to ensure proper, contract, and procedural rights.