Summary and Conclusion

Abstract

These then are the main strands in Aristotle’s conception of law. The analysis I have attempted seems to me to reflect Aristotle’s views on the complex nature of law and the different grounds for its validity. I think that the several aspects of his doctrine are not ultimately related, and that there is no necessary conflict between them, since most embody answers to different questions concerning the law. The recurrent theme of my own comments has been the assumption that ‘law’ is a complex term, comprising in its application a number of different definitions in relation to rules and validity, authority and obligation, sources of law and stages of its evolution, and the like. In my opinion, it is a merit of Aristotle’s theory that he appears to recognise the multiple meaning of the word and, accordingly, the need for a multiple definition.