originalists
Founding intent followers
Originalists are those who interpret a legal document—especially a constitution—according to its meaning at the time it was written.
In American legal debate, originalists argue the U.S.
Constitution should be read as its framers and ratifiers understood it, opposing interpretations that adapt to contemporary values: Originalists on the Court favored a narrower reading of the amendment.
Those who construct frames
- foundersThose who begin institutions
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- amendmentChange to official text
- bill of rightsDocument listing protected liberties
ratification · enumerated powers · separation of powers · judicial review · supreme court · antifederalist · checks and balances · bicameralism
Interpreting law literally
- judicial restraintCourts avoiding activist rulings
- ThomasMasculine name meaning twin
- BarrettOccupational surname, headwear
- originalismInterpreting by founding-era meaning
Scalia · Gorsuch · judicial philosophy · precedent · hermeneutics · plain meaning · constructionism · judicial activism
Past conditions explaining events
- founding eraTime of original establishment
- textual analysisSystematic examination of writing
- eighteenth centuryYears 1701-1800
- dictionaryAlphabetical word reference
framers
Those who construct frames
- foundersThose who begin institutions
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- amendmentChange to official text
bill of rights · ratification · enumerated powers · separation of powers · judicial review · supreme court · antifederalist · checks and balances · bicameralism · due process
textualism
Interpreting law literally
- judicial restraintCourts avoiding activist rulings
- ThomasMasculine name meaning twin
- BarrettOccupational surname, headwear
Scalia · Gorsuch · originalism · judicial philosophy · precedent · hermeneutics · plain meaning · constructionism · judicial activism · law review
historical context
Past conditions explaining events
- founding eraTime of original establishment
- textual analysisSystematic examination of writing
- eighteenth centuryYears 1701-1800
- Political Factionsconservatives, Republicans, right wing, far right, hard right
originalistsevolutionists
Supporters of species development theory