Achieve Quote by Elena Kagan
“Perhaps most important, judges will have goals. And because this is so, judges will often try to mold and steer the law in order to promote certain ethical values and achieve certain social ends. Such activity is not necessarily wrong or invalid.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Judicial Philosophy Lecture, 2015
Judges may shape law to reflect ethical values and social goals, which can be legitimate and purposeful.
In simple terms: Judges can guide law toward moral aims.
Key Takeaway
Recognize law’s moral dimension.
Themes
law
ethics
judiciary
social goals
policy
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- court decisions
- policy debates
- law reform initiatives
Key Concepts
judicial activism
ethical reasoning
public interest
Questions to Reflect On
- When is judicial shaping appropriate?
- What safeguards ensure fairness?
A Different Perspective
Too much shaping may threaten impartiality.
