HUKUM DI RUANG SOSIAL

Abstract

Law cannot be separated from the study of social science because it operates within the complexity of human relationships and social institutions. This article argues that legal science should be understood as a branch of the social sciences rather than as an autonomous discipline. Drawing on Alexander Rosenberg's distinction between natural science and social science, the article explains that law belongs to the latter because it seeks to understand dynamic social phenomena rather than immutable natural laws. Consequently, legal analysis requires interdisciplinary approaches that integrate sociology, psychology, political science, economics, and philosophy. The discussion further examines the limitations of legal positivism in addressing contemporary social realities and highlights the importance of progressive legal thought in responding to substantive justice. By reviewing contributions from scholars on psychoanalytic jurisprudence, legal interpretation, critical legal studies, democratic governance, legal education, and socio-legal research, the article demonstrates that law is fundamentally embedded in its social environment. Legal institutions, legal reasoning, and legal policies are shaped by cultural, political, and economic contexts. The article concludes that a socially oriented legal paradigm is essential for overcoming the rigidity of legal positivism and for developing a more responsive, interdisciplinary, and justice-oriented legal system capable of addressing the evolving needs of contemporary society.