ABSTRACT
The Pure Theory of Law is, as its name indicates, a theory of law. The way in which a theory is elaborated is determined by its object. According to the Pure Theory of Law, law is norm, or, more exactly, a set of norms, a normative order. A norm is a rule whose meaning is that something ought to be or to be done, even if actually it is not, or is not done. A norm may or may not be obeyed and applied by a certain human behavior which actually takes place in time and space. The Pure Theory of Law takes into consideration only positive law, norms created by acts of human beings. It does not take into consideration norms emanating from other, i.e., superhuman authorities. Therefore it excludes from the province of jurisprudence any divine law, i.e., law supposed to be created by God or a godlike entity.
