According to Gottschall, storytelling sometimes plays a more powerful role in court case than logic or evidence does (16). If this is true, can you think of any ways the justice system might try to account for and counteract this phenomenon?
I do believe that storytelling plays a powerful role in the justice system. It makes facts and scientific evidence more appealing and believable when they are weaved into a heart wrenching or captivating story. However, the only way I can see to avoid this problem is hiring judges or juries that consist of people who are not susceptible to story. Unfortunately, from what I have read so far it is nearly impossible to find anyone who can resist the power of story, so my method is flawed.
It appears that the only way to counteract the phenomenon of storytelling in court cases would be to not allow it. Rather than allowing lawyers to weave the stories, they would only be allowed to ask direct questions with no frivolous sentences added. Only information about the case WITHOUT speculations would be allowed. However, this seems completely ridiculous. The sides of a case are favored by suggesting speculations ("reasons") as to why the defendant is guilty or innocent. The lawyers were not there to witness the tragedy they are defending, and thus must use their imagination to piece together what happened (in favor of which side they are on). Because of this, I don't see how the justice system could exist without the storytelling that is necessary to get these ideas across.
I agree with your statement "I don't see how the justice system could exist without the storytelling that is necessary to get these ideas across." I don't think there's any way the justice system would be effective or important without storytelling.
I can definitely see why storytelling plays such a huge role in the court room. If you hire a lawyer who has zero communication skills then they’re obviously going to have a more difficult time convincing the judge and the jurors that you are innocent. On the other hand, having a lawyer who is an excellent persuader and storyteller can be the key to winning the case. People are drawn to people who tell excellent stories, and they are more likely to listen to those who can tell a great story.
I do believe that storytelling plays a powerful role in the justice system. It makes facts and scientific evidence more appealing and believable when they are weaved into a heart wrenching or captivating story. However, the only way I can see to avoid this problem is hiring judges or juries that consist of people who are not susceptible to story. Unfortunately, from what I have read so far it is nearly impossible to find anyone who can resist the power of story, so my method is flawed.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that the only way to counteract the phenomenon of storytelling in court cases would be to not allow it. Rather than allowing lawyers to weave the stories, they would only be allowed to ask direct questions with no frivolous sentences added. Only information about the case WITHOUT speculations would be allowed. However, this seems completely ridiculous. The sides of a case are favored by suggesting speculations ("reasons") as to why the defendant is guilty or innocent. The lawyers were not there to witness the tragedy they are defending, and thus must use their imagination to piece together what happened (in favor of which side they are on). Because of this, I don't see how the justice system could exist without the storytelling that is necessary to get these ideas across.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement "I don't see how the justice system could exist without the storytelling that is necessary to get these ideas across." I don't think there's any way the justice system would be effective or important without storytelling.
DeleteI can definitely see why storytelling plays such a huge role in the court room. If you hire a lawyer who has zero communication skills then they’re obviously going to have a more difficult time convincing the judge and the jurors that you are innocent. On the other hand, having a lawyer who is an excellent persuader and storyteller can be the key to winning the case. People are drawn to people who tell excellent stories, and they are more likely to listen to those who can tell a great story.
ReplyDelete