Living Methods for Living Law: Eugen Ehrlich Meets Bruno Latour via Adversarial Exhibition Design

Abstract

This paper argues that in order to effectively inquire into what Eugene Ehrlich (1862-1922) called 'living law', we need living methods. We need ways of sensing and making sense of the world that are themselves alive—responsive, anticipatory, vibrant. The first part highlights some methodological advice offered by Ehrlich himself about how to enliven legal inquiry. The second part proposes that we can draw on designerly knowledge and techniques to put that advice into action. The third part tests the validity and limits of that proposition with reference to a series of exhibitions designed by sociologist, anthropologist and philosopher Bruno Latour (1947-2022).

Keywords: legal design, exhibition design, socio-legal research methods, adversarial concepts, living law.