Open AccessThe Compassionate Judge (2007) Vol 1 Art 7
Author(s) -
Costa Avgoustinos
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
public space
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1835-0550
DOI - 10.5130/psjlsj.v1i1.540
Subject(s) - compassion , openness to experience , transparency (behavior) , psychology , criticism , social psychology , political science , law and economics , law , sociology
‘Out of touch’ dispassionate decisions often invite public outcry, but the weak ‘too lenient’ judge is also open to criticism. In this paper I examine the role which compassion plays in legal judgment, how compassion is exercised and the limits of compassion. I argue that not only does compassion have a role to play in legal judgment but that, to the extent that judges exercise compassion, compassion enhances the openness and transparency of the law.