Understanding Originalism

Originalism is a belief that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the original meanings of its words as understood at the time it was written. This concept draws parallels with fundamentalism, particularly in how adherents insist on strict adherence to the text, regardless of modern contexts or implications. The podcast highlights the challenges of accurately interpreting historical documents, especially considering the cognitive and cultural differences between contemporary and historical perspectives. It raises questions about the feasibility of truly knowing the intentions of the framers and stresses that such interpretations can often lead to varied outcomes in legal and social scenarios.