Judicial Selection Process and Virtue

Thanks to MOJ contributors who have called attention to Justice O'Connor's resignation. Her stepping down from the Supreme Court will trigger a great deal of discussion about the qualities of her successor. Here is a short essay Download moral_issues_and_the_virtuous_judgenomination_of_supreme_court_justices.mdi  I wrote on a related topic, the role of virtues, back in the mid 1990s. It may still offer some thoughts relevant to the judicial selection process in 2005. I read the Solum commentary linked to Rick's earlier posting on Justice O'Connor's resignation. I saw Solum's question about whether advocating for a virtuous judicial candidate is naive. I hope I was able to present some points why considering the virtuous character of candidates is not naive but essential.  RJA sj