This exploration will delve into four distinct modes of judicial interpretation: textualism, living constitutionalism, originalIsm, and intentionalism, along with a critical examination of pragmatism. Each of these approaches holds unique principles and implications, offering a glimpse into the intricacies of legal reasoning, the dynamics between legislative intent and statutory language, and the ever-evolving nature of constitutional interpretation. By delving into these legal philosophies, we can gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which laws are construed, debated, and adapted to meet the ever-changing needs and values of society, while simultaneously respecting the foundational principles that underpin legal systems.
TEXTUALISM
Textualism is an approach to interpreting statutes which emphasizes that a law should be understood based on its clear and literal wording, without considering the legislature’s intent, the statutory objective, or the legislative background. Textualism aligns with the Plain Meaning Rule, which means that the interpretation of a word in a statute is primarily based on its dictionary definition, its position within the text, and how it was commonly used when the law was written. When a judge adheres to this approach, they don’t consider additional sources like contemporary social policies or legislative history; their focus is solely on the literal and straightforward meaning of the text. Experts who advocate for textualism as a normative theory of interpretation seek to achieve interpretations that align with the straightforward and apparent meaning, or the literal meaning, of the legal text. While it’s acknowledged that texts intended for a specific audience on a particular occasion might carry the speaker’s intended meaning, textualists, in general, assert that adhering to the plain meaning of the text is the most effective way to uphold the principles of the rule of law, which include openness, predictability, certainty, and the stability of legal principles. In essence, textualists argue that court decisions should be comprehensible to ordinary citizens. This is because regular citizens are more likely to interpret statutes based on their clear and apparent meaning, primarily because they lack the access or expertise needed to understand legislative history.
LIVING CONSTITUTIONALISM
Living constitutionalism is a legal and constitutional theory that views a country’s constitution as a flexible and adaptable document, capable of evolving to address changing societal, cultural, and political circumstances. Unlike strict or originalist interpretations, which emphasize adhering to the original meaning of the text as understood at the time of drafting, living constitutionalism sees the constitution as a dynamic framework that should evolve and adapt to meet the needs and values of contemporary society. This approach involves interpreting constitutional provisions broadly to accommodate new rights, principles, or values that may not have been explicitly stated in the original text. It also places an emphasis on judicial discretion and the role of judges in shaping constitutional meaning to serve the best interests of society. Living constitutionalism takes into account the evolving values and norms of society, using legal precedents and empirical factors, including specific case details and economic theories, to guide the development of constitutional law.
ORIGINALISM
Originalism is a constitutional and legal theory that interprets a country’s constitution, statutes, and legal texts by emphasizing a strict adherence to the original intent or meaning of the framers or legislators at the time when the text was drafted and ratified. In the context of constitutional law, originalism asserts that the constitution’s provisions should be understood as they were intended by the framers or the understanding of the text’s language at the time of its adoption. This approach often involves examining historical documents, such as the constitutional convention debates, founding-era writings, and the framers’ intentions, to determine the original meaning. Originalism stands in contrast to other approaches to constitutional and statutory interpretation, such as living constitutionalism, which allows for a more flexible and evolving interpretation of legal texts to adapt to contemporary circumstances and societal changes.
INTENTIONALISM
Intentionalists prioritize the intentions of lawmakers, which could be the legislative body for statutory law or the framers or ratifiers in the case of constitutional law. According to this school of thought, interpreters should give utmost importance to carrying out the intentions of the lawmakers, even if those intentions diverge from the literal meaning of the text. Therefore, interpreters should refer to evidence of these intentions beyond what is stated in the text itself. Legislative intent is frequently cited by courts in the process of statutory interpretation, and the original intent approach to constitutional interpretation was influential during the latter part of the 20th century, although it began to wane in the 1980s. The emphasis on legislative intent in statutory interpretation and original intent in constitutional interpretation is often seen as a way to uphold democratic principles. A common democratic concept is that courts should faithfully execute the intentions of the people’s chosen representatives. However, despite its initial appeal, intentionalism has faced a range of significant criticisms.
Challenges to relying on actual legislative intentions in the interpretation of statutory and constitutional law have been robustly criticized on multiple fronts, specifically in metaphysical, existential, and epistemic terms. The metaphysical issue revolves around the question of what would constitute a collective intention of the framers or ratifiers in the context of a constitution, or the intention of a multi-member, competitive, and often divided legislature in the complex conditions typical of modern legislatures. Even if we could define what constitutes the intention of a legislature (or a constitution’s framers or ratifiers), the existential problem arises: do these relevant bodies typically possess collective intentions, and if they do, are these intentions precise and detailed enough to be of practical use in resolving intricate questions of legal interpretation? Lastly, the epistemic problem relates to how one could reliably identify such intentions if they did exist. Due to space constraints, a comprehensive discussion of these challenges with respect to actual legislative intentions is beyond the scope of this discussion. However, it’s important to acknowledge the inherent complexities and uncertainties associated with relying on such intentions in the interpretation of the law.
PRAGMATISM
Pragmatism focuses on resolving legal cases in a manner that yields the most favorable outcomes. Constitutional provisions, statutes, previous judicial rulings, and similar legal elements are only considered to the extent that taking them into account leads to superior results. According to Posner, pragmatism aims for “the best decision, considering both current and future needs, and does not prioritize strict adherence to past decisions, viewing them as a means to achieve the best results in the present case”. Pragmatic judges do consider authoritative legal texts, but they do not see them as binding; rather, they view them as factors relevant to determining the best course of action. Given the emphasis on achieving the best outcomes in the future, pragmatism places greater importance on empirical factors, including the specific details of the case and empirical, especially economic, theories, compared to rigidly adhering to established legal texts. Pragmatism’s approach to legal rights and obligations can be compared to consequentialist perspectives on moral rights and duties.
It is evident that in the realm of legal and constitutional interpretation, there exist a variety of approaches, each offering a distinctive lens through which to analyze and apply the law. These approaches, from textualism to originalism, intentionalism to pragmatism, represent different philosophies that guide the way judges, scholars, and legal practitioners navigate the complexities of legal texts and their real-world implications. Understanding these approaches is paramount in comprehending the nuanced methodologies employed in the legal field, shedding light on the intricate balance between the language of the law and its broader societal impact.
BY ADEEB AKHTAR, AT MAHARASHTRA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, AURANGABAD
