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Society's mores have changed, and what used to be thought not to be cruel and unusual now is thought to be cruel and unusual.
Antonin Scalia
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Societal views on morality and justice evolve over time, changing our perception of what is considered cruel and unusual.

This quote by Antonin Scalia highlights the dynamic nature of societal norms and values. What was once acceptable or overlooked in terms of punishment or justice can become viewed as intolerable as society progresses, reflecting the changing moral landscape and the influence of cultural evolution on our understanding of fairness and cruelty. It prompts us to consider how contemporary perspectives shape legal standards and ethical expectations.

Themes

SocietyMoresCrueltyJusticeEvolution

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about the death penalty, one could reference this quote to discuss changing perceptions of punishment.

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If you're going to be a good and faithful judge, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you're not always going to like the conclusions you reach. If you like them all the time, you're probably doing something wrong.
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