In our social imaginary, love has become the major existential goal of our times, which is capable of providing all of us with a sense of worth and a way of being in the world (Beck & Beck-Gernsheim, 1995). Love has become our 'ultimate source of meaning and happiness' it is a 'gift' that affirms the beloved and transforms us to a higher state of being (May, 2011).
In our political imaginary, law has become our highest political ideal. Life with the rule of law marks us out as a civilized nation and people. Liberal citizenship is defined by one's belief in the rule of law. No event, actor or claim escapes the rule of law - there is no field of life in which law has not or cannot enter (Kahn, 2000).
This special issue aims to explore the intersection of the ideal of love in our social imaginary and the rule of law in our political imaginary. Further it aims to reflects on the ways in which law understands and interacts with love, and gives and takes meanings from love, and vice-versa.
About the Author: Simon Rice OAM
Simon is a Professor of Law at the Australian National University, where he is Director of Law Reform and Social Justice. He researches and writes in discrimination, human rights, access to justice and public interest lawyering.
From 1996-2011 he was a part-time judicial member of the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal in the Equal Opportunity Division. He is a past President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, and a former Director of the NSW Law Foundation.
In 2002 he was awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia for legal services to the socially and economically disadvantaged
Andrew Day
Professor Andrew Day is a clinical and forensic psychologist who has worked in correctional and forensic mental health services in the UK and Australia. He is a Professor in the School of Psychology, and an Associate Director of the Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Deakin University.
Dr Day obtained his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Birmingham UK in 1994 and Masters in Science in Applied Criminological Psychology at the University of London UK in 1991 that included work as a Prison Psychologist with the UK Home Office.
He has published many research articles on offender rehabilitation, co-edited textbooks for pre-university Psychology curriculums, and presented conference papers at national and international research conferences. His current research interests focus mainly on the development of therapeutic and rehabilitative approaches for offenders.
