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Constitution Quote by Richard A. Posner

“I do not apologize for these terms or, more generally, for discussing judicial thinking in a vocabulary alien to most judges and lawyers. Judicial behavior cannot be understood in the vocabulary that judges themselves use, sometimes mischievously. (11)” quote by Richard A. Posner
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““I do not apologize for these terms or, more generally, for discussing judicial thinking in a vocabulary alien to most judges and lawyers. Judicial behavior cannot be understood in the vocabulary that judges themselves use, sometimes mischievously. (11)””

Richard A. Posner

About This Quote

Source Article: Harvard Law Review, 2015

Legal analysis often requires a distinct vocabulary; judges’ own language can obscure true behavior patterns.

In simple terms: Legal talk can hide how judges really act.

Key Takeaway

Use interdisciplinary lenses to study judicial conduct.

Themes

law language analysis

Mood

critical analytical

Type

academic professional

When to use this quote

  • court decisions
  • law school curricula
  • policy reform

Key Concepts

jurisprudence behavioral economics semantic theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does specialized language affect transparency?
  • What alternative frameworks could reveal hidden biases?
A Different Perspective

Legal jargon may oversimplify complex motivations, limiting insight.

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