Answers Quote by Harry A. Blackmun
“We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary, at this point in the development of man's knowledge, is not in a position to speculate as to the answer.”
About This Quote
Source Supreme Court Opinion, Roe v. Wade, 1973
When experts cannot agree on when life begins, the judiciary should refrain from making speculative judgments.
In simple terms: Judges should not decide unresolved scientific questions.
Key Takeaway
Respect limits of legal authority.
Themes
law
ethics
science
judicial restraint
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- medical ethics debates
- public health legislation
- education curricula
Key Concepts
jurisprudence
bioethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How should society address unresolved moral questions?
- What role should science play in lawmaking?
A Different Perspective
Legal inaction may delay needed protections.
![“The mandated description of fetal characteristics at two-week intervals, no matter how objective, is plainly overinclusive. [It is] not medical information that is always relevant to the woman's decision, and it may serve to confuse and punish her and to heighten her anxiety.” quote by Harry A. Blackmun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8ae/harry-a-blackmun-19399_anxiety_the-mandated-description-of-fetal-charac_316886.jpg)
