The Constitution is America's moral sail, and we must hold to the courage of the conviction that fills it, a conviction that we can all be equal citizens of a moral republic. That is a noble faith, and only optimism can redeem it. So writes Ronald Dworkin in the introduction to this characteristically robust and provocative new book in which Dworkin argues the fidelity to the constitution and to law demands that judges make contemporary judgements backed on political morality, and why it encourages, or ought to encourage, an open display of the true grounds of judgement. The book discusses almost all of the great constitutional issues of the last two decades including abortion, affirmative action, pornography, race, homosexuality, euthanasia and free-speech and in doing so consistently offers a liberal view of the American Constitution. Dworkin's moral reading proposes that we all, judges, lawyers, citizens - interpret and apply the abstract language of the Constitution on the understanding that they invoke moral principles about political decency and justice. The moral reading therefore brings political morality into the heart of constitutional law.

Freedom's Law: The Moral Reading of the American Constitution

Dworkin, R. M.

Dworkin, Frank Henry Sommer Professor of Law and Philosophy Ronald

Rules & Procedures

OUP Oxford

What is law? What is it for? How should judges decide novel cases when the statutes and earlier decisions provide no clear answer? Do judges make up new law in such cases, or is there some higher law in which they discover the correct answer? Must everyone always obey the law? If not, when is a citizen morally free to disobey?

Taking rights seriously

Legal Theory & Systems

Duckworth

Discusses various constitutional issues of the last two decades, including pornography, euthanasia, free speech, abortion, and affirmative action

Constitutional Law

Replica Books

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Books by Dworkin, R. M.