How do you interpret this quote?

ljlukelj · Aug 21, 2009

"The law is real, but is also a figment of our imaginations. Like all fundamental social institutions it casts a shadow of popular belief that mayultimately be more significant, albeit more difficult to comprehend, than the authorities, rules, and penalties that we ordinarily associate with thelaw."

falcon4567 · Aug 21, 2009

Like all the things the law is an agreed upon myth. The "law" does not exist corporeally, it can not physically strike out at anyone for disobeyingit and ultimately even the different agencies which act as it extensions only have power so long as everyone else agrees that they do. The law is a myth butviolating it has very real consequences.

abeautifulhaze · Aug 21, 2009

The social impact of a law can be greater than the intended scope of the law itself.

For instance, the right to bear arms is just that...the right to legally own firearms.

But the shadow cast by that law is much greater than simply a right to possess a material item.

It has affected almost every facet of America culture and society in some way. From sex and sports to language and entertainment.

luckyp90 · Aug 21, 2009

Originally Posted by ljlukelj

"The law is real, but is also a figment of our imaginations. Like all fundamental social institutions it casts a shadow of popular belief that may ultimately be more significant, albeit more difficult to comprehend, than the authorities, rules, and penalties that we ordinarily associate with the law."

That the law is more then just crime and punishment. It changes the way we behave and the way we think, Even in areas that don't seem related.

trasoul82 · Aug 21, 2009

I believe that it implies that public opinion of those whodefy the rules deemed necessary by the authoritative entity of a collective society can be more damaging than the legal ramifications themselves. This is theresult of the line that inevitably becomes blurred between "lawfulness" and "morality." Law emphasizes humanity's willingness tocondemn while it lacks any connection to our ability to forgive and accept a "lawbreaker" seamlessly back into the folds of society.