Ordinary Meaning: A Theory of the Most Fundamental Principle of Legal Interpretation

B. Slocum, Ordinary Meaning: A Theory of the Most Fundamental Principle of Legal Interpretation, University of Chicago Press, Forthcoming

19 Pages Posted: 11 Dec 2015

See all articles by Brian G. Slocum

Brian G. Slocum

Florida State University, College of Law

Date Written: December 12, 2015

Abstract

Consider this court case: a defendant has traded a gun for drugs, and there is a criminal sentencing provision that stipulates an enhanced punishment if the defendant “uses” a firearm “during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.” Buying the drugs was obviously a crime — but can it be said that the defendant actually “used” the gun during the crime? This sort of question is at the heart of legal interpretation. Legal interpretation is built around one key question: by what standard should legal texts be interpreted? The traditional doctrine is that words should be given their “ordinary meaning”: words in legal texts should be interpreted in light of accepted standards of communication. Yet often, courts fail to properly consider context, refer to unsuitable dictionary definitions, or otherwise misconceive how the ordinary meaning of words should be determined. In this book, Brian Slocum builds his argument for a new method of interpretation by asking glaring, yet largely ignored, questions. What makes one particular meaning the “ordinary” one, and how exactly do courts conceptualize the elements of ordinary meaning? Ordinary Meaning provides a much-needed, revised framework, boldly instructing those involved with the law in how the components of ordinary meaning should properly be identified and developed in our modern legal system.

Keywords: linguistics, philosophy of language, philosophy, ordinary meaning, legislation, statutory interpretation, constitutional interpretation, contractual interpretation

JEL Classification: K00, K10, K2, K19, K20, K29, K3, K30, K39, K4, K40, K49

Suggested Citation

Slocum, Brian G., Ordinary Meaning: A Theory of the Most Fundamental Principle of Legal Interpretation (December 12, 2015). B. Slocum, Ordinary Meaning: A Theory of the Most Fundamental Principle of Legal Interpretation, University of Chicago Press, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2700878

Brian G. Slocum (Contact Author)

Florida State University, College of Law ( email )

425 West Jefferson Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
United States
(850) 644-7294 (Phone)

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