the teleological method of statute interpretation demands that the anticipated consequences and effects of a norm’s application must be taken into consideration from the beginning. One must thus ask: How does this method of interpretation combine with the Uppsala School's outspoken legal positivism? (Legal positivism constituting a legal theory concerned with determining the legality and validity of a decision to apply coercive measures in specific cases in relation to a system of positive legal norms).482 Does not the open approach of teleological interpretation come into conflict with the fundamental principles of legal positivism? Is it at all possible to combine a teleologically based methodology with the strict scientific and legal theories of the Uppsala School in a wholly non-contradictory manner? According to Hägerström, the only system of actually applicable law is non-metaphysical by nature.To begin with, human cognition and knowledge is restricted by the bounds of physical spatio-temporal reality and consequently human cognition and knowledge must also take the content of the same positive reality as its ultimate point of departure.483 On the basis of this assumption, one can conclude that any valid human claim to possess knowledge of law must refer to a positive system of law.However, to the jurist it is not enough to restrict the concept of law to spatio-temporally given sets of positive norms, because even such sets of norms are too extensive and amorphous to be applicable, since they will include norms of every type and form (legal, political, religious and moral) as well as epoch (past, present and future or historical, actual and potential). Historically, the concept of law, out of practical as well as epistemological necessity, has been restricted even further to encompass only specific sets of rules in specific geographical and historical settings a ca l l f o r s c i e n t i f i c p u r i t y 531 482 Hägerström, “Begreppet gällande rätt,” pp. 63-64. 483 Hägerström, “‘Ein Stein ...’.” 8 . 2 pos i t ive law and the source s of law
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