Law: Logical or praxeological? A systematic review of epistemic debate

Abstract

This article examines the question of whether law is a logical or praxeological system, a debate that has endured over time. The debate about the logical nature of law is long-standing and has experienced moments of great intensity. The objective of this study was to interpret philosophical criteria that clarify whether law responds to the order of reason or to cooperation between people. The methodology employed was basic, with a qualitative and exploratory approach, using the PRISMA method to review a total of 24 documents. The results indicate that the philosophical approach known as praxeology promotes, from within law, the dimensions of the human being through practice and its reflection on the environment. Thus, a significant debate remains about whether law is a rational, logical product or whether it arises from behavioral cooperation. In conclusion, it is recommended that this debate continue, as it is fundamental to fostering shared social responsibility as a strategy for articulating justice and society. The prevailing view until the 1950s and 1960s held that law was inclined toward a logical system, gradually evolving toward praxeology in the pursuit of adequate service of justice, an aspect that deserves to be openly questioned.