SOCIOLOGICAL JURISPRUDENCE AND ITS RELEVANCE TO CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

Abstract

The Sociological School of jurisprudence considers law or legal development from the perspective of the people in the society. It posits the harmonization of law with the wishes and aspirations of the people. Therefore, if law becomes inconsistent with the people or even violates their interests or expectation, such law is worthless. This paper appraises the relevance of Sociological Jurisprudence to contemporary Society by carefully exploring the emergence of sociological jurisprudence, sociological approach ,nature and meaning, characteristics of sociological jurisprudence, background of sociological jurisprudence, objectives of sociological jurisprudence , sociological thinking , its relevance to law making, the effects of law and society on each other, backdrops of sociological jurisprudence, differences between sociological jurisprudence and sociology of law and so on. However divergent the view of various sociological jurists may appear, they have common point that the law must be studied in relation to society. Furthermore, that Sociological School of jurisprudence sees law or legal development from the views of the human populace .It perceives law as a social phenomenon and mechanism, it contended the fusion of law with the wishes and objectives of the people. In sum, it promotes the peaceful coexistence of law and the interests of the people. Hence, where law becomes contrary to the individuals aspirations or even negates their interests, such law becomes worthless, ineffective, and lacks legitimacy.