Benedetto Croce’s hard opposition to "sociology", as a specific consequence of his reaction to Positivism, is undoubtedly a topos in the tradition of the studies devoted to the Neapolitan philosopher’s thought. This contribution reconstructs the historical development of the controversy and investigates its theoretical core, focusing on Croce’s reflection upon the conditions of the sociological knowledge and the "sociality" as its particular object. The relation with the "law" as well as the theme of the "rules", as a field of study of legal history and philosophy, assume a particular importance in this context. The research hypothesis, tested in these pages, concerns the chance for the interpreter to observe, thinking back over the results of Croce’s critique of sociology, the outcome of his laborious definition of meaning and value of "History".
Keywords: Benedetto Croce - Sociology - Law - Positivism - Historical knowledge