Objectivity in the Law ---Jason Walker

Political commentators routinely question the objectivity of judges, particularly when these judges find against pet partisan causes. Many question whether legal objectivity is even possible, as ideological and other interests necessarily bias even the most well-intended of judges. In this talk, Jason Walker argues that not only is objectivity possible, it is, thankfully, more commonplace than is realized. But legal objectivity is often misunderstood. By examining how objectivity in the law is possible, and how it can fail, we can more accurately distinguish cases where judges are genuinely biased from those cases in which we merely disagree with the outcome.

ABOUT JASON WALKER
After earning his BA in philosophy at the University of Texas, Jason Walker earned his Masters at Tufts University, and his Doctorate at the University of Wisconsin in 2012, with a dissertation on the rule of law. Dr. Walker has taught philosophy at American University, George Washington University, most recently at Georgetown University. Next year, he will hold a dual-appointment at the People's University of China and at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing. He specializes in philosophy of law and political philosophy, and his most recent work can be seen in the anthology, "The Walking Dead & Philosophy."