SOC211H5 Chapter 3: Reading 3
Document Summary
The question is whether law is assigned the purpose of achieving social control over the behavior of human beings; or whether its function is to provide a means for facilitating human interaction. Language is the best way to illustrate how reciprocal reinforcement is achieved by combining the two functions of law. Language sets us free by imposing limits on how we express what we intend to say. The laws relating to murder seem to fit very neatly into the function of controlling human behaviour. As well, a rule against murder serves to enlarge the scope of the individual"s interactions with others. Worthy to note that in many societies the law against murder took its origin in a regulated and restricted interactional process. The rule that one passes the oncoming vehicle on the right, serves the primary purpose of facilitating interaction. Example of motorcyclist driving early in the morning, doesn"t stop at a stop sign because he sees no traffic coming.
