A man is an angel that has gone deranged.
Philip K. DickRead
To the extent that the judicial profession becomes the daily routine of deciding cases on the most secure precedents and the narrowest grounds available, the judicial mind atrophies and its perspective shrinks.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote warns against relying solely on established precedents in judicial decision-making, suggesting it limits critical thinking.
Irving Kaufman highlights the danger of judges sticking strictly to precedents and narrow interpretations when making decisions. He argues that such an approach can lead to a stagnant judicial mindset, which fails to consider the broader implications and justice of each case. This reliance on past rulings can ultimately diminish the quality of legal reasoning and the effectiveness of the judiciary in addressing contemporary issues.
Themes
Judicial ProfessionPrecedentsJudicial MindCritical ThinkingJustice
In practice
Example use cases
During a legal seminar discussing the importance of adaptability in law.
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