An Imperfect Cosmopolitan Project (original) (raw)

2020, Catholic Cosmopolitanism and Human Rights

In a dusty corner of my attic I recently discovered on an old•• yellowed manuscript, which was printed in rather new letters, a little parable that seems relevant to an understanding of the role ' ~ of the Supreme Court in our democracy and, moreover, seems ..t fitting starting point for a discussion of, and a search for, a legitimate; role for the Court, i.e. one that is compatible with democracy, This discussion and search include criticism of the role the Court has actually played in the recent past and the "faulty teaching" tha~ • : has resulted, all of which will bring us back to Lance v. Board of Education of Roane County," discussed in Part I.-AParable-Adam is a man of indeterminate age. He has been sitting in his study, in sober and reflective contemplation as to how he will litit{/ his life. His old servant, Samuel, has just entered. Adam: Samuel, my good and faithful servant, I have jii.sl • written a resolution as to how I shall live my Zif e. It is a list of pre:,;\ cepts, worked out through reason, here in the quiet of my study, a.f though, Lord knows, with much fevered debate with myself. t: think, if I keep to them, they give me the best rusurance I coul/1 want of a long and happy life. (Hands Samuel the Resolution.) Samuel: I see, yes, well very commendable. Adam: Now these precepts, by which I hope to govern mj\ future conduct, are a list of things I cannot do. Of course being' a reasonable and experienced man, I know that under stress an{!': momentary passion, such resolutions are often broken even by th{ most resolute of men. But I'm most determined to avoid such lapst~ and that's why I've called you in. I have made you a sort of guarditir{ of my Resolution. In fact I have provided for it as part of the Reso!~~ lion, itself. You know I think of you as my wisest old servant. You're.' very learned in the law, which I have a particularly great respec(