Rule-Following

Rule-Following Definition

Rule-following refers to the adherence to established norms, regulations, or expectations within a social environment. While many sociologists, including positivists, observed a perceived similarity between the orderly nature of the social world and the natural world, suggesting that both realms are governed by discernible rules, this view has been challenged by other thinkers who argue that this similarity is superficial. Social rules differ fundamentally from natural laws because human behaviour necessitates interpretation before compliance, and individuals possess the agency to choose whether to follow or defy these rules. Furthermore, it is recognised that social life is not exclusively structured by explicit rules; many actions occur without reference to formal rules, and existing rules are frequently disregarded, which suggests that rules may not hold significant explanatory power regarding the overall orderliness of society.

Philosophical Debate

The debate surrounding rule-following centres on the distinction between natural laws and social norms. Proponents of this distinction argued that social rules require interpretation by individuals, unlike immutable natural laws, and that human choice introduces variability into social behaviour. This emphasis on the difference between these two types of rules was widely accepted, although the initial excitement over this separation has been tempered by the recognition that rule-following is not the sole determinant of social structure.

Sociological Implications

The critique highlights that the perceived orderliness of society is not solely attributable to adherence to explicit rules. The observation that many actions occur outside the framework of established rules, and that rules are often ignored, implies that rule-following does not necessarily account for the fundamental orderliness observed in social life.