The influential jurist Hans Kelsen [1881-1973] here applies hisconcept of the distinction between society and nature. He shows howprimitive man developed his interpretation of nature, through the lawsof retribution and of causality, to a modern concept of nature andsociety. He holds that the gradual emancipation of the law ofcausality from the principle of retribution is "the emancipation froma social interpretation of nature. The process shows a relationbetween social and natural science which is very important from thepoint of view of intellectual history." (Introduction p. viii)Extensively annotated. Kelsen is known for his theory of pure positivelaw, as postulated in General Theory of Law and State, which is alsoavailable in a reprint edition from The Lawbook Exchange.