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Abstract
Logico-empiricism emphasises the importance of empirical verification as a scientific criterion for distinguishing meaningful from meaningless statements. Although logico-empiricism has made significant contributions to the development of the philosophy of science and has been practically beneficial for every legal scholar, criticisms of the a variety of assumptions underlying logico-empiricism have emerged from several perspectives. Therefore, this article is important to write in order to: 1) explain and deepen the criticisms of logico-empiricism assumptions by focusing on the perspective of dogmatic legal science; 2) offer an alternative epistemology to address these criticisms. This study uses a conceptual approach supported by secondary data sources. The results show that there are six criticisms of the logico-empiricism assumptions of the logical positivism paradigm when viewed from the perspective of dogmatic legal science. These criticisms highlight the tendency of logico-empiricism to reduce legal complexity, limit the scope of explanation, generalise inappropriately, raise questions of objectivity, and ignore social, political, and societal dynamics in the formation and application of law. This critique also demonstrates the limitations of the logico-empiricist approach, necessitating a more inclusive and interdisciplinary alternative epistemology. Several alternative epistemologies proposed to address criticisms of logico-empiricism include hermeneutics, pragmatism, phenomenology, and falsificationism. It is also possible to integrate these various approaches to form a complementary methodological framework, which the author calls "critical-pragmatic hermeneutic phenomenology." This approach is advantageous because it is holistic, open to revision, contextual, practically useful, and respectful of human experience.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Harry Setya Nugraha, Indah Satria, Yudiana Dewi Prihandini
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References
Abney, Drew H, Rick Dale, Jeff Yoshimi, Chris Kello, Kristian Tylén, and Riccardo Fusaroli. “Joint Perceptual Decision-Making: A Case Study in Explanatory Pluralism.” Frontiers in Psychology 5 (2014): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00330.
Asa, Simplexius. “Examining the Principle of Ignorantia Facti Excusat, Ignorantia Examining the Principle of Ignorantia Facti Excusat, Ignorantia Iuris Non Excusat In the Corruption Case Nizzadro Fabio Iuris Non Excusat In the Corruption Case Nizzadro Fabio.” Indonesia Law Review 13, no. 1 (2023): 71–91.
Bambang, Asep, and Hermanto Abstraks. “Ajaran Positivisme Hukum Di Indonesia: Kritik Dan Alternatif Solusinya.” Jurnal Hukum Dan Bisnis (Selisik) 2, no. 2 (2016): 108–21. https://doi.org/10.35814/SELISIK.V2I2.650.
Bickhard, Mark H, Robert G Cooper, and Patricia E Mace. “Vestiges of Logical Positivism: Critiques of Stage Explanations.” Human Development 28, no. 5 (1985): 240–58. https://doi.org/10.1159/000272963.
Carnap, Rudolf. “The Elimination of Metaphysics Through Logical Analysis of Language.” Erkenntnis 2, no. 1 (1932): 60–81.
Church, Alonzo. “Review Book Language, Truth, and Logic by A.J. Ayer.” The Journal of Symbolic Logic 14, no. 1 (n.d.): 52–53.
Fitrah, Muhammad, and Astrid Veranita Indah. “Komparasi Fenomenologi Edmun Husserl Dan Martin Heidegger.” Sulesana 18, no. 1 (2024): 1–23.
Florczak, Kristine L. “Capturing Truth for the Moment.” Nursing Science Quarterly 29, no. 4 (2016): 269–70. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318416661101.
Fortin, Sebastian, Martín Labarca, and Olimpia Lombardi. “On the Ontological Status of Molecular Structure: Is It Possible to Reconcile Molecular Chemistry With Quantum Mechanics?” Foundations of Science 28, no. 2 (2022): 709–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10699-022-09834-4.
Gadamer, Hans-Georg. Truth and Method. New York: Continuum, 2004.
Hamdani, Fathul, Eduard Awang Maha Putra, Dinul Apriliana Akbar, Diah Puji Pangastuti, and Fathul Khairul Anam. “Fiksi Hukum: Idealita, Realita, Dan Problematikanya Di Masyarakat.” Primagraha Law Review 1, no. 2 (September 30, 2023): 71–83. https://doi.org/10.59605/plrev.v1i2.364.
Hanfling, Oswald. “The Logical Positivists and the Principle of Verification.” Philosophy 54, no. 219 (1981): 5–12.
Hart, H L A. “Legal Positivism and the Separation of Law and Morals.” Harvard Law Review 71, no. 4 (2005): 593–629.
Horaguchi, Haruo H. “Organization Philosophy: A Study of Organizational Goodness in the Age of Human and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration.” Ai & Society, 2024, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-024-01980-6.
Hume, David. An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007.
Ikuenobe, Polycarp. “Logical Positivism, Analytic Method, And Criticisms Of Ethnophilosophy, Metaphilosophy.” Metaphilosophy 35, no. 4 (2004): 479–503.
Kalalinggi, Rita. “Pelemahan Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi: Salah Satu Matinya Demokrasi.” Journal of Government and Politic 3, no. 2 (2021): 107–18.
Kelsen, Hans. Pure Theory of Law. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1967.
Kuhn, Thomas S. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press, 1962.
Maryati, Maryati. “Kritik Terhadap Paradigma Positivisme Hukum Dan Beberapa Pemikiran Dalam Rangka Membangun Paradigma Hukum Yang Berkeadilan.” Inovatif: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 7, no. 2 (2014).
Milasari, Badarussyamsi, and Ahmad Syukri. “Filsafat Ilmu Dan Pengembangan Metode Ilmiah.” Jurnal Filsafat Indonesia 4, no. 3 (2021): 218–28.
Muller, Friedrich. Juristische Methodik. Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, 2008.
Nikiforov, Alexander L. “Ludwig Wittgenstein and Logical Positivism.” Epistemology & Philosophy of Science 58, no. 1 (2021): 22–30. https://doi.org/10.5840/eps20215813.
Ntshangase, Mohammed X. “An Assessment of the Resurgence of Historical and Classical Fashion Due to the Economical Use of Language in South Africa.” E-Journal of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences, 2024, 413–22. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2024545.
Popper, Karl R. The Logic of Scientific Discovery. Routledge: London, 2002.
Radbruch, Gustav. Legal Philosophy. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 1950.
Rahardjo, Satjipto. Hukum Dalam Jagat Ketertiban. Jakarta: UKI Press, 2006.
Raz, Joseph. “Legal Positivism and the Sources of Law.” The Yale Law Journal 39, no. 4 (1979): 121–46. https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-10-1-logical-positivism-and-verification-principle.
Redhani, Muhammad Erfa. “Science and Prophetic Law: Karl Popper’s Falsification Principle and Three Worlds of Science.” Prophetic Law Review 6, no. 1 (2024): 98–119.
Riski, Maydi Aulia. “Teori Falsifikasi Karl Raimund Popper: Urgensi Pemikirannya Dalam Dunia Akademik.” Jurnal Filsafat INdonesia 3, no. 2021 (2021): 261–72.
Russel, Bertrand. “Logical Positivsm.” Revue Internationale de Philosophie 4, no. 11 (1950): 3–19.
Salzmann-Erikson, Martin. “The Intersection Between Logical Empiricism and Qualitative Nursing Research: A Post-Structuralist Analysis.” International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being 19, no. 1 (2024): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2315636.
Sarkar, Sahotra. The Vienna Circle: The Story of Logical Emiricism. London and New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis, 2025.
Sugiono, Fajar, and Afdhal Mahatta. “Konstelasi Perkembangan Hermeneutika Dalam Filsafat Ilmu Sebagai Atribusi Metode Penafsiran Hukum.” Negara Hukum 12, no. 2 (2021): 307–28.
Suharto, Bekti. “Menyoal Sudut Pandang: Kritik Terhadap Epistemologi Positivisme Hukum.” In Prosiding Seminar Nasional, 1:299–318, 2015.
Sukirno, Edy Lisdiyono, and Sri Mulyani. “Implications of Legal Positivism on Cybercrime Law Enforcement in Indonesia in the Case of the Hacking of the Mojokerto City Government Website.” International Journal of Criminology and Sociology 10 (2021): 891–96. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2021.10.105.
Twining, William. “Taking Facts Seriously-Again.” Journal of Legal Education 55, no. 3 (2004): 360–80.
Vannatta, Seth. “Between Science and Fiction.” European Journal of Pragmatism and American Philosophy IV, no. 1 (2012): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.4000/ejpap.779.
Velástegui, Pablo G. “Neither ‘Mind’ Nor ‘Things’ but Acting: Some Philosophical Implications of Pragmatism for International Relations Inquiry.” Analecta Política 6, no. 11 (2016): 227–48. https://doi.org/10.18566/apolit.v6n11.a02.
Verhaegh, Sander. “Logical Positivism: The History of a ‘Caricature.’” Isis 115, no. 1 (2024): 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1086/728796.
Wau, Citra Metasora, Marihot Janpieter Hutajulu, and Sri Harini Dwiyatmi. “IMPLIKASI POSITIVISME HUKUM TERKAIT PENGATURAN TEKNOLOGI FINANSIAL DI INDONESIA.” Jurnal Ilmu Hukum: ALETHEA 3, no. 2 (December 15, 2020): 77–98. https://doi.org/10.24246/alethea.vol3.no2.p77-98.
Zaman, Asad. “Logical Positivism and Islamic Economics.” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2012. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2195043.
References
Abney, Drew H, Rick Dale, Jeff Yoshimi, Chris Kello, Kristian Tylén, and Riccardo Fusaroli. “Joint Perceptual Decision-Making: A Case Study in Explanatory Pluralism.” Frontiers in Psychology 5 (2014): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00330.
Asa, Simplexius. “Examining the Principle of Ignorantia Facti Excusat, Ignorantia Examining the Principle of Ignorantia Facti Excusat, Ignorantia Iuris Non Excusat In the Corruption Case Nizzadro Fabio Iuris Non Excusat In the Corruption Case Nizzadro Fabio.” Indonesia Law Review 13, no. 1 (2023): 71–91.
Bambang, Asep, and Hermanto Abstraks. “Ajaran Positivisme Hukum Di Indonesia: Kritik Dan Alternatif Solusinya.” Jurnal Hukum Dan Bisnis (Selisik) 2, no. 2 (2016): 108–21. https://doi.org/10.35814/SELISIK.V2I2.650.
Bickhard, Mark H, Robert G Cooper, and Patricia E Mace. “Vestiges of Logical Positivism: Critiques of Stage Explanations.” Human Development 28, no. 5 (1985): 240–58. https://doi.org/10.1159/000272963.
Carnap, Rudolf. “The Elimination of Metaphysics Through Logical Analysis of Language.” Erkenntnis 2, no. 1 (1932): 60–81.
Church, Alonzo. “Review Book Language, Truth, and Logic by A.J. Ayer.” The Journal of Symbolic Logic 14, no. 1 (n.d.): 52–53.
Fitrah, Muhammad, and Astrid Veranita Indah. “Komparasi Fenomenologi Edmun Husserl Dan Martin Heidegger.” Sulesana 18, no. 1 (2024): 1–23.
Florczak, Kristine L. “Capturing Truth for the Moment.” Nursing Science Quarterly 29, no. 4 (2016): 269–70. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318416661101.
Fortin, Sebastian, Martín Labarca, and Olimpia Lombardi. “On the Ontological Status of Molecular Structure: Is It Possible to Reconcile Molecular Chemistry With Quantum Mechanics?” Foundations of Science 28, no. 2 (2022): 709–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10699-022-09834-4.
Gadamer, Hans-Georg. Truth and Method. New York: Continuum, 2004.
Hamdani, Fathul, Eduard Awang Maha Putra, Dinul Apriliana Akbar, Diah Puji Pangastuti, and Fathul Khairul Anam. “Fiksi Hukum: Idealita, Realita, Dan Problematikanya Di Masyarakat.” Primagraha Law Review 1, no. 2 (September 30, 2023): 71–83. https://doi.org/10.59605/plrev.v1i2.364.
Hanfling, Oswald. “The Logical Positivists and the Principle of Verification.” Philosophy 54, no. 219 (1981): 5–12.
Hart, H L A. “Legal Positivism and the Separation of Law and Morals.” Harvard Law Review 71, no. 4 (2005): 593–629.
Horaguchi, Haruo H. “Organization Philosophy: A Study of Organizational Goodness in the Age of Human and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration.” Ai & Society, 2024, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-024-01980-6.
Hume, David. An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007.
Ikuenobe, Polycarp. “Logical Positivism, Analytic Method, And Criticisms Of Ethnophilosophy, Metaphilosophy.” Metaphilosophy 35, no. 4 (2004): 479–503.
Kalalinggi, Rita. “Pelemahan Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi: Salah Satu Matinya Demokrasi.” Journal of Government and Politic 3, no. 2 (2021): 107–18.
Kelsen, Hans. Pure Theory of Law. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1967.
Kuhn, Thomas S. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press, 1962.
Maryati, Maryati. “Kritik Terhadap Paradigma Positivisme Hukum Dan Beberapa Pemikiran Dalam Rangka Membangun Paradigma Hukum Yang Berkeadilan.” Inovatif: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 7, no. 2 (2014).
Milasari, Badarussyamsi, and Ahmad Syukri. “Filsafat Ilmu Dan Pengembangan Metode Ilmiah.” Jurnal Filsafat Indonesia 4, no. 3 (2021): 218–28.
Muller, Friedrich. Juristische Methodik. Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, 2008.
Nikiforov, Alexander L. “Ludwig Wittgenstein and Logical Positivism.” Epistemology & Philosophy of Science 58, no. 1 (2021): 22–30. https://doi.org/10.5840/eps20215813.
Ntshangase, Mohammed X. “An Assessment of the Resurgence of Historical and Classical Fashion Due to the Economical Use of Language in South Africa.” E-Journal of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences, 2024, 413–22. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2024545.
Popper, Karl R. The Logic of Scientific Discovery. Routledge: London, 2002.
Radbruch, Gustav. Legal Philosophy. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 1950.
Rahardjo, Satjipto. Hukum Dalam Jagat Ketertiban. Jakarta: UKI Press, 2006.
Raz, Joseph. “Legal Positivism and the Sources of Law.” The Yale Law Journal 39, no. 4 (1979): 121–46. https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/revision-notes/a-level/religious-studies/ocr/1-10-1-logical-positivism-and-verification-principle.
Redhani, Muhammad Erfa. “Science and Prophetic Law: Karl Popper’s Falsification Principle and Three Worlds of Science.” Prophetic Law Review 6, no. 1 (2024): 98–119.
Riski, Maydi Aulia. “Teori Falsifikasi Karl Raimund Popper: Urgensi Pemikirannya Dalam Dunia Akademik.” Jurnal Filsafat INdonesia 3, no. 2021 (2021): 261–72.
Russel, Bertrand. “Logical Positivsm.” Revue Internationale de Philosophie 4, no. 11 (1950): 3–19.
Salzmann-Erikson, Martin. “The Intersection Between Logical Empiricism and Qualitative Nursing Research: A Post-Structuralist Analysis.” International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being 19, no. 1 (2024): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2315636.
Sarkar, Sahotra. The Vienna Circle: The Story of Logical Emiricism. London and New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis, 2025.
Sugiono, Fajar, and Afdhal Mahatta. “Konstelasi Perkembangan Hermeneutika Dalam Filsafat Ilmu Sebagai Atribusi Metode Penafsiran Hukum.” Negara Hukum 12, no. 2 (2021): 307–28.
Suharto, Bekti. “Menyoal Sudut Pandang: Kritik Terhadap Epistemologi Positivisme Hukum.” In Prosiding Seminar Nasional, 1:299–318, 2015.
Sukirno, Edy Lisdiyono, and Sri Mulyani. “Implications of Legal Positivism on Cybercrime Law Enforcement in Indonesia in the Case of the Hacking of the Mojokerto City Government Website.” International Journal of Criminology and Sociology 10 (2021): 891–96. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2021.10.105.
Twining, William. “Taking Facts Seriously-Again.” Journal of Legal Education 55, no. 3 (2004): 360–80.
Vannatta, Seth. “Between Science and Fiction.” European Journal of Pragmatism and American Philosophy IV, no. 1 (2012): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.4000/ejpap.779.
Velástegui, Pablo G. “Neither ‘Mind’ Nor ‘Things’ but Acting: Some Philosophical Implications of Pragmatism for International Relations Inquiry.” Analecta Política 6, no. 11 (2016): 227–48. https://doi.org/10.18566/apolit.v6n11.a02.
Verhaegh, Sander. “Logical Positivism: The History of a ‘Caricature.’” Isis 115, no. 1 (2024): 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1086/728796.
Wau, Citra Metasora, Marihot Janpieter Hutajulu, and Sri Harini Dwiyatmi. “IMPLIKASI POSITIVISME HUKUM TERKAIT PENGATURAN TEKNOLOGI FINANSIAL DI INDONESIA.” Jurnal Ilmu Hukum: ALETHEA 3, no. 2 (December 15, 2020): 77–98. https://doi.org/10.24246/alethea.vol3.no2.p77-98.
Zaman, Asad. “Logical Positivism and Islamic Economics.” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2012. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2195043.