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
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.
In practice
During a legal seminar discussing the importance of adaptability in law.
The vast majority, who believe in astrology and think that the planets have nothing better to do than form a code that will tell them whether tomorrow is a good day to close a business deal or not, become all the more excited and enthusiastic.
Playing as children means playing is the most serious thing in the world.
Many of us Christians have become extremely skillful in arranging our lives so as to admit the truth of Christianity without being embarrassed by its implications. We arrange things so that we can get on well enough without divine aid, while at the same time ostensibly seeking it. We boast in the Lord but watch carefully that we never get caught depending on Him.
It (Tao) is eternally without desire. So, it can be called small. All things return to it, although it does not make itself their ruler. So, it can be called great.
Most world religions denounced war as a barbaric waste of human life. We treasured the teachings of these religions so dearly that we frequently had to wage war in order to impose them on other people.
Women's virtue is frequently nothing but a regard to their own quiet and a tenderness for their reputation.
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