Legal Literacy - We often hear the word legal principle, some call it an adagium, and sometimes the same thing or sentence is referred to as a postulate. So what exactly is the difference between legal principles, adagiums, old maxims, and postulates? Let's look at the explanation in the article below!

What are Principles, Adagiums, Old Maxims, and Postulates?

There are several terms that are often used as substitutes for the term "legal principle". These terms include "adagium", "old maxim", and "postulate". In the Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, "adagium" is defined as a proverb or saying. When the law is incomplete, regula pro lege, si deficit lex (a proverb can be used as a guide). According to the Legal Dictionary, "adagium" is defined as a scientific guideline or motto, as well as words of wisdom or slogans. On the other hand, "old maxim" is translated as an old proverb. Therefore, the word "adagium", which comes from Latin, is a synonym or has the same meaning as the word "maxim".

In contrast to "adagium" and "old maxim", "postulate" comes from Latin, namely postulatum. Postulatum comes from an older word, namely postulare. Literally, postulare means to ask or demand, while postulatio is defined as a complaint. The word "postulate" itself means a preposition which is the starting point of a search that is not a definition or a temporary assumption. According to the Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, a postulate is an assumption that is the basis of a proposition that is considered true without needing to be proven. A postulate can also be interpreted as a basic assumption. Based on these various definitions, the word "legal principle" is closer in meaning to the word "postulate".