Star Trek Cited by Texas Supreme Court

[n2doc]

By Anton Olsen October 27, 2010 | 9:30 am | Categories: Everything Else, People

Image: Justice Don Willett from the Texas Supreme Court Website

The following news almost makes up for how often I hide my head in shame of the decisions of the Texas courts. Especially when it comes to issues of science in schools, personal freedoms, and separation of church and state.

In the case of Robinson v. Crown Cork and Seal, the Texas Supreme Court has cited Mr. Spock. No, not Dr. Spock, the alleged parenting expert, but Mr. Spock, the Vulcan. Quoting from the opinion delivered on October 22, 2010, Justice Don R. Willet states:

Appropriately weighty principles guide our course. First, we recognize that police power draws from the credo that “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” Second, while this maxim rings utilitarian and Dickensian (not to mention Vulcan21), it is cabined by something contrarian and Texan: distrust of intrusive government and a belief that police power is justified only by urgency, not expediency.

The in footnotes Justice Willet goes on to recommend that watch Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and goes on to explain the scene in which Spock utters the words: “Don’t grieve, Admiral. It is logical. The needs of the many outweigh . . .” to which Kirk replies, “the needs of the few.”



Read More http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/10/star-trek-cited-by-texas-supreme-court/#ixzz13ZPev6WT

[jaxx]

1. That's just plain spooky.

[drm604]

2. Is it common for judges to cite literature and movies?

I can't tell if this type of opinion is just a little unusual or totally of the wall. Is it common for Judges to use these kinds of cites?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Yes but more as behavior examples or humor

[Historic NY]

3. The dumbing down of America is picking up warp speed.

[Posteritatis]

10. A snarky parenthetical comment is "the dumbing down of America?" (nt)

[txlibdem]

11. Wait. I don't get it...

I'm living in Texas but I wasn't born here. I should know this one???

[BootinUp]

4. I doubt that the credo originated with Star Trek

too lazy to check though.

[nykym]

7. I was curious so here it is

Many think this quote is old and from some famous philosopher. The thought does have its origins in an ancient text, but it wasn't spoken by a great philosopher, and the thought didn't originate from the 1982 motion picture - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

The thought came to us from Caiaphas, the High Priest mentioned in the Gospel of John. In John 11:49-50 the Apostle John wrote, "And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not."

More at Link:

<http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_philosopher_said_the_needs_of_the_many_outweigh_the_needs_of_the_few>

So it sorta sounds like separation of state & church the exact words are not in the constitution but the grist of it is there. This will be their defense, show me where it says that!

[BootinUp]

8. interesting, nt

[EmilyKent]

9. It goes on to say:

'Slightly earlier than the reference above, Aristotle, in his "The Aim of Man" develops a similar idea. In his discussion about the "highest good" he writes,

"Even supposing the chief good to be eventually the aim for the individual as for the state, that of the state is evidently of greater and more fundamental importance both to attain and to preserve. The securing of one individual's good is cause for rejoicing, but to secure the good of a nation or of a city-state is nobler and more divine."'

[Mnpaul]

6. They obviously didn't watch Star Trek III

Kirk flips the quote to justify the rescue of Spock

[pokerfan]

12. Someone had to do it

It's not exactly Spinoza, Bastiat, Mill or Locke. Still, Vulcans are wise.



What's next, South Park? Curb Your Entusiasm?

[Fire Walk With Me]

13. Judge: "Screw you guys, I'm going home."