Die aard en rol van die reg: 'n wysgerige besinning

Inaugural lecture--Rand Afrikaans University, Department of Philosophy, 30 June 1970@@This inquiry into the jural realm -i.e. into human rights, jural norms (e.g. principles and laws) and the jural order relates this realm to the divinely ordained status or office (and its functions) of man in cosmic reality; this status pertains to both individuals and social bodies (e.g. communities and societies) and their mutual relatedness. It is shown that the jural realm is creaturely and human; universal in scope as well as unique and irreducible; that it determines a special kind of order, more specifically a hasic order; and that it has a validity of its own. The distinction as well as the relation between the ontic (commonly called 'natural') and the posith'e rights, jural norms and jural order is investigated. The jural realm is furthermore approached according to the order of creation as well as to the order of the fall of man. Lastly the distinction between the 'firmness' ('unchangeability') of the jural realm and its historic del'elopment is indicated. In conclusion this study deals with the difference as well as the relationship between the state's participation in the jural realm and the participation therein of individuals and other social bodies.