In times of national crisis, there are those who would argue that strict adherence to a 200-year-old document is simply irrational. However, Stanford law professor and former Stanford Law School Dean Kathleen Sullivan strongly disagrees.
Sullivan, introduced as the "Michael Jordan of the legal world," examined the practical application of the Constitution to contemporary political affairs.
The speech addressed whether the United States possesses an "emergency Constitution." Sullivan questioned whether the document should be understood according to the political climate at a given time or as a "continuous Constitution" whose interpretation should remain consistent regardless of external events.
Sullivan noted that some Constitutional scholars view the lack of an emergency clause -- which would temporarily expand some government powers in times of crisis -- as a serious weakness of the document. However, she disagreed with the idea that the Constitution is flawed due to the absence of such a clause and instead expressed her faith in the original text.
"The purpose of a written Constitution is to prevent us from doing things that we regret", Sullivan said. "There is a notion of pre-commitment, a trump that serves exactly when temptation is greatest."
Audience members cited personal concerns over government infringement of their Constitutional rights as a primary motivation for attending the speech.
"My interest in coming was due largely to recent moves by the executive branch regarding civil liberties, particularly the Patriot Act," first-year Penn law student Mahnu Davar said.
Sullivan addressed these concerns, arguing that a less subjective interpretation of the Constitution would help enforce fundamental civil liberties.
The audience responded enthusiastically to Sullivan's analysis.
"She offered a well-articulated and developed speech on a complex issue facing contemporary society," third-year Penn law student Cortney Hoecherl said.
The speech was sponsored by the Penn Law School and the National Constitution Center in honor of former Penn Law Dean and Supreme Court Justice Owen J. Roberts. The speech was delivered at the Law School's Levy Conference Center.
