the letter of the law vs. the spirit of the law theme
The following dilemma is illustrated: Language and writing is fallible and there is always ambiguity and room for misunderstanding. So to what extent should the law be obeyed to the letter, and to what extent should we instead look to the intent of the legislators and, ultimately, our own sense of right and wring?
7 total · 1 choice · 4 major · 2 minor
| Story | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| tng1x08 | choice | should Wesley be executed for disturbing a flower bed? |
| bbf2x17 | major | this expression was used wrt. to Sheridan's skulduggery |
| movie: Paths of Glory (1957) | major | the court martial stretched the boundaries of how law might be interpreted in 1916, as it convicted three relatively innocent men to set an example |
| play: Measure for Measure (1604) | major | Angelo applied the law overly strictly when he condemned Caludio for extramarital sex |
| tng3x02 | major | Picard vs. Sheliak |
| movie: Abraxas Guardian of the Universe (1990) | minor | The sheriff lectured his deputy on this distinction after the deputy confronted a farmer for having driven an uninspected tractor into town. |
| tos2x06 | minor | Spock :: Spock about relieving Decker of duty |