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Planets to the left of me, planets to the right of me…
Ok, this isn’t really about anything legal. In fact, it’s not even remotely related to the law. But bear with me, because I do have at least a faint connection to make.
The always interesting Bad Astronomy has put together a detailed write-up of the finding (pending a vote next week) that Pluto is still a planet and, in fact, our solar system now has three “new” planets. Now, I’m mentioning this post for two reasons. First, I was almost an astrophysicist in my pre-law life, and I like supporting science (in general) and astronomy/cosmology/astrophysics (specifically) where possible, even if such support is merely by throwing out a link.
But there actually is a QuizLaw related reason that I’m mentioning this discussion as well. Towards the end of his lengthy post, the Bad Astronomer goes into the fact that the whole “planet” issue is really about semantics, not science. And on this point, he notes that:
…[I]t is a good idea to try to categorize objects. But definitions are like little boxes, containers in which ideas sit. But sometimes they’re more like prison cells. They frame our minds, make us see things too rigidly.
I think it would do legal folks some good to remember this point as well. As statutes and legal discussions (and to a much lesser extent, case law) all get more and more bogged down in semantics, political correctness, the Right versus the Left, etc. etc., many legal practitioners loose sight of the bigger picture, namely, that the law is meant to: (a) provide structure to things; and (b) to help society. It would be useful to remember that sometimes a “legal” argument boils down to nothing more than semantics and that folks should take a step back and look at the big picture. That’s all I’m saying.
…soapbox returned from whence it came.
(and the image, for the curious ones out there, is of Pluto and its former-moon, soon-to-be planetary partner, Charon)
Comments
Just a little writing advice, "from whence" is incorrect. "Whence" means "from where" therefore, the first "from" is unnecessary. I learned something in the 3 years of Latin I took in college and I enjoy being able to use it once in a while. By the way, without your website I would have far fewer stories to share. Thanks for pulling all the truly worthwhile stories together for the rest of us.
Posted by Nathan | August 28, 2006 5:43 PM