Stories About Science in Law: Literary and Historical Images of Acquired Expertise

by David S. Caudill

Overview

Presenting examples of how literary accounts can provide a supplement to our understanding of science in law, this book challenges the view that law and science are completely different. It focuses on stories which explore the relationship between law and science, especially cultural images of science that prevail in legal contexts. Contrasting with other studies of the transfer and construction of expertise in legal settings, this book considers the intersection of three interdisciplinary projects: law and science, law and literature, and literature and science. Looking at the appropriation of scientific expertise into law from these perspectives, this book presents an original introduction into how we can gain insight into the use of science in the courtroom and in policy and regulatory settings through literary sources.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781317049890
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/01/2016
Series:	Law, Language and Communication
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	164
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

David S. Caudill

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements; Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Law-and-Literature, Literature-and-Science, and a Hybrid Law-Literature-Science Field of Study; Chapter 3 Ramón y Cajal: Hard SF for Lawyers; Chapter 4 Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People: The Public Understanding of Science in Law; Chapter 5 Idealized Images of Science in Film: The Expert Witness in Trial Movies; Chapter 6 “Faction”: Truman Capote, Legal Ethics and In Cold Blood; Chapter 7 Historical Narratives: Mad Alchemists, Experts Attacking Experts, and the Crisis in Forensic Science; Chapter 8 Conclusion: A New Picture of Science in Law;

Editorial Reviews

'In a bold and innovative step beyond the conventions of law and literature, Caudill deftly traces the parallels between images of scientific expertise and the framing of science in law. Drawing examples from science fiction, "lab lit" and futuristic film, Stories About Science In Law manages gainfully to trace the surprising extent to which law exists in the shadow of science.' Peter Goodrich, Cardozo School of Law, USA 'What Caudill achieves through his seamless merging of law and literature, and science and literature is an exploration of the narrational energies at specific nodes of the law/science interface; from judge activity in Daubert hearings, to the rhetoric framing scientists’ statements on facts and expertise. His masterful hybridity substantially raises the standard in comprehending the complexity of law/science interface.' Kieran Tranter, Griffith Law School, Australia

From the Publisher