Ideas don't desert you; ideas aren't treasonous to you, but people can be.
Alan DershowitzRead
Scientists search for truth. Philosophers search for morality. A criminal trial searches for only one result: proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Interpretation
The quote distinguishes the objectives of different fields: science, philosophy, and law.
Alan Dershowitz highlights the contrast between the aims of scientists, philosophers, and the legal system. While scientists pursue empirical truths and philosophers explore ethical principles, the legal arena focuses narrowly on establishing guilt based on sufficient evidence, marked by the standard of 'proof beyond a reasonable doubt.' This reflects the complexities and different priorities inherent in the quest for knowledge, morality, and justice.
In practice
In a debate about the role of evidence in criminal justice, this quote can emphasize the unique focus of law.
Ideas don't desert you; ideas aren't treasonous to you, but people can be.
Ed Koch will never "rest in peace." That was not his way. He was always nervously squirming, while making others squirm as well. Comfort was not his goal. He understood that to be a proud and assertive Jew meant never being able to leave a sigh of relief and say "it's over, we are at peace, we can now put down our guard and relax."
It's never acceptable to target civilians. It violates the Geneva Accords, it violates the international law of war and it violates all principles of morality.
When I was growing up, my mother would always say, 'It will go on your permanent record.' There was no 'permanent record.' If there were a 'permanent record,' I'd never be able to be a lawyer. I was such a bum, in elementary school and high school... There is a permanent record today and it's called the Internet.
A good lawyer knows how to shut up when he's won his case.
Let no one ever shy away from the claim that Jews have power, that Jews have influence. We have learned the terrible lesson of history; that unless we have influence and power, disproportionate to our small numbers - immoral results will occur. We need power. And we must continue to use our power. Power which we earned, power which no one gave us on a silver platter, power which we worked hard for - use that power in the interests of justice.
Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works.
Wherever there is great property, there is great inequality.
Human nature is not of itself vicious.
One unconsciously takes it for granted that doer and sufferer think and feel alike, and according to this supposition we measure the guilt of the one by the pain of the other.
Pride is ugly. It says, 'If you succeed, I am a failure.'
The Buddhists say there are 149 ways to God. I'm not looking for God, only for myself, and that is far more complicated. God has had a great deal written about Him; nothing has been written about me. God is bigger, like my mother, easier to find, even in the dark. I could be anywhere, and since I can't describe myself I can't ask for help.
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