Öffentliches Recht und Wissenschaftstheorie

What are the subjects, methods and functions of the science of public law? All those elements which can generally be used to define a science are presently under discussion. The authors of the articles in this volume deal with the relationship of this subject to the general theory of science and the need for a subject-specific theory of science. They analyze the relationship between the science of public law and the social sciences. How can the theory and the empiricism of the social sciences be applied to legal theory and lawmaking? They also look into the significance of previous debates on theories of science for current discussions and then discuss the role played by the practical relevance of jurisprudence in public law.