Uncommon Knowledge Listening to the Law: How Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett Does Her Job | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution
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Nov 5, 2025 
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a pivotal figure on the Supreme Court, shares insights from her book, Listening to the Law. She discusses the principles of originalism and its evolution, explaining how it guides the Court’s decisions, including the reasoning behind Dobbs v. Jackson. Barrett highlights the importance of stare decisis, consensus-building among justices, and her experiences clerking for Justice Scalia. Balancing her career with raising seven children, she emphasizes civic education and understanding the constitutional process as essential to democracy.
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Family Life And Morning Routines
- Amy Coney Barrett describes family breakfasts during COVID where children served themselves cereal and enjoyed hot breakfasts together.
- She notes their youngest is 13 and older siblings now handle many morning routines independently.
Originalism Targets Public Meaning
- Originalism looks to how informed observers understood constitutional words at adoption rather than the framers' private intentions.
- Barrett emphasizes original public meaning as the guiding interpretive aim.
Originalism's Historical Revival
- Originalism was the court's dominant practice in the 19th century but became self-conscious only when challenged by the Warren Court.
- Scalia and early proponents articulated and defended originalism against living-constitution approaches.
