Court Quote by Morris Raphael Cohen
“If a philosophic theory is once ruled out of court, no one can tell when it will appear again.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Philosophy of Law," 1935
When a philosophical theory is dismissed by courts, its future reemergence is unpredictable.
In simple terms: Legal rejection makes a theory’s return uncertain.
Stay open to ideas even after rejection.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legal analysis
- academic debate
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What conditions could revive a dismissed theory?
- How does legal precedent shape philosophical discourse?
May underestimate the power of entrenched legal doctrines.