Eugen Ehrlich und die heutige Rechtssoziologie – 10 Thesen

The paper introduces 10 theses how Ehrlich (1822-1922) is still relevant for today's sociology of law. It starts with Ehrlich showing a social science approach to law, continues with Ehrlich opening up a qualitative empirical approach and suggesting an empirically comparative approach. His work encourages studying legal dogmatic and the tools jurists use. Ehrlich invites to study the development and origins of laws and he sharpens the view on the everyday and the ordered lives of lay people. The emotional grounding of law has been highlighted by Ehrlich as well as conducting research together with students and practitioners. He exemplifies how political perspectives influence research questions and his life reminds of the existential vulnerability of the individual in modern society.