International Law’s Invisible Frames: Introductory Insights

Abstract

The underlying premise of the research project is that humans acquire and form their knowledge through cognitive processes (eg perception, interpretation, language). At the same time, that knowledge is processed and used via different mental channels to form a representation of reality. Law as a social process carried out by human beings is a stimulating object of investigation for those who would like to analyse social cognition and knowledge production processes. Understanding how psychological and socio-cultural factors (including cultural bias) can affect decision-making in an international legal process; identifying the groups of people and institutions that may shape and alter the prevailing discourse in international law at any given time; and unearthing the hidden meaning of the various mythologies that populate and influence our normative world, are all key factors to providing a better understanding of the invisible frames within which international law moves and performs....