A KIND RESPONSE

from Lawrence Solum, here. I respond briefly below. If you suddenly become puzzled by my squishy, non-social scientist reply, remember that I originally studied German literature. . .

This discussion reminds me: if you're building your summer reading list and you haven't read it already even though it's been out for a few years, check out Ewick and Silbey's Common Place of Law. Through both empirical study and fancy theorizing, Ewick and Silbey examine the particular stories or narratives that Americans bring to the law and that structure their experiences of it. The book has really helped to clarify some of my own conflicting impulses with respect to the law. And if you can get through the theoretical parts, it's a real good read.