originalism
Original meaning doctrine
Originalism is a method of constitutional interpretation holding that the Constitution should be understood as its authors and ratifiers understood it.
Originalists argue that judges should apply the text's original meaning rather than adapt it to contemporary values.
The approach is associated with conservative jurisprudence and debates over issues like gun rights and abortion: an originalist reading of the Second Amendment.
Inherent physical or structural makeup
- framersThose who construct frames
- intentPlanned purpose
- Federalist PapersFounding-era persuasive essays
- ratificationFormal approval by authority
Scalia · founders · Supreme Court · judicial review · amendment · judiciary · precedent · doctrine
Interpreting law literally
- plain meaningDirect, straightforward interpretation
- historical contextPast conditions explaining events
- founding eraTime of original establishment
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
ratifiers · drafters · semantic · constructionism · literalism · hermeneutics · exegesis
Custom passed through generations
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- fidelityLoyalty or exactness
- fundamentalismStrict adherence to core tenets
conventional · establishment · right-wing · judicial philosophy · constitutionalism · limited government · enumerated powers · founding principles
constitution
Inherent physical or structural makeup
- framersThose who construct frames
- intentPlanned purpose
- Federalist PapersFounding-era persuasive essays
Scalia · ratification · founders · Supreme Court · judicial review · amendment · judiciary · precedent · doctrine · jurists
textualism
Interpreting law literally
- plain meaningDirect, straightforward interpretation
- historical contextPast conditions explaining events
- founding eraTime of original establishment
framing · ratifiers · drafters · semantic · constructionism · literalism · hermeneutics · exegesis
tradition
Custom passed through generations
fundamentalism · conventional · establishment · right-wing · judicial philosophy · constitutionalism · limited government · enumerated powers · founding principles
- lawlaw, lawyer, lawyers, attorney, attorneys
- constitutional lawConstitution, Bill of Rights, First Amendment, Second Amendment, Fourth Amendment
- American IdeasAmerican Dream, American exceptionalism, transcendentalism, manifest destiny, self-reliance
- conservatismconservative, traditionalism, fiscal conservative, small government, free enterprise
- Right Wingconservatism, GOP, Republicans, Republican Party, far right
- Court JurisprudenceSupreme Court rulings, landmark cases, landmark decisions, court opinions, majority opinions
originalismjudicial activism
Broad court interpretation philosophy