Law is a complex subject and is largely dependent on human behavior and imagination. It is often difficult to define, but it is a fundamental component of society. It is used to establish standards, maintain order, resolve disputes and protect liberties and rights. It is also used to govern the actions of public and private entities like governments, police, businesses, individuals, corporations, etc. It is a source of scholarly inquiry into legal history, philosophy, economic analysis and sociology.
There are many theories of law that have been put forward in an attempt to understand it better. One of the most ancient is known as the natural theory of law which attributes laws to nature. This theory was popularized by ancient philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. It has been supported by a number of modern jurists including Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau.
Another theory of law states that laws are created by man and are therefore subjective. This theory is believed to have been the inspiration for the creation of religions and other cultures which believe in a God who has laid down laws that must be obeyed by humans.
The subject of law is incredibly broad and encompasses almost every aspect of human behaviour, expression and beliefs. It is a complex and dynamic field which will continue to evolve as societies do. Some of the more important aspects of law that we study are criminal law which deals with conduct that is considered harmful to social order, civil law which concerns resolution of lawsuits between individuals or organizations and property law which deals with who owns what.