Law is a system of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Its precise definition is a subject of debate, with some describing it as an art or science while others see it as a tool for harmonizing conflicting groups.

There are several goals that law serves, including establishing standards for minimally acceptable behaviour in society (such as not harming other people or their property) and providing a mechanism for resolving conflicts among individuals or organizations. In addition, law can serve to:

Some legal scholars have argued that the nature of law makes it unique in comparison to other types of human activities and systems. They point out that law is normative in nature, meaning that it prescribes what is right and wrong and does not describe a natural phenomenon like gravity or a social force like supply and demand. This normative nature, they argue, makes it largely unknowable and dependent on humans to make sense of.

Another aspect of law that is unique in comparison to other human activities and systems is the need for it to be based on factual evidence and knowledge. In this way, it differs from other types of human activity such as literature and music. As a result, the law is a source of much scholarly inquiry in fields such as historical analysis, philosophy and economic analysis. There are also specific areas of law such as sex, family and labor law that cover particular aspects of human life and relationships.