Star Wars and Constitutional Hermeneutics

An analysis of constitutional interpretation from the perspectives of Cass Sunstein and Ronald Dworkin

Authors

Keywords:

Legal Theory, Constitutional Hermeneutics, Flavored Integrity

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8966/2026/90185e

The present work intends to make some brief considerations on the process of judicial and constitutional interpretation from the perspectives of two important legal philosophers: Ronald Dworkin and Cass Sunstein. In our analysis, we follow Dworkin's proposal to compare legal interpretation with artistic interpretation, as well as Cass Sunstein’s paper How Star Wars Illuminates Constitutional Law. Therefore, we intend to use the creation process of the Star Wars saga as an illustrative example of our proposal, as Sunstein did. Finally, we argue that Sunstein’s serendipity could be coherently added to Dworkin’s integrity, resulting in what we call flavored integrity.

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Author Biographies

Franklin V. Marques Dutra, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (UEMG)

Professor of higher education at the State University of Minas Gerais, Diamantina/MG unit. Founding member of the Serras de Minas Association of Theory of Justice and Law. Bachelor's, master's and doctorate in Law from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Interested in theory of justice, theory of law and public law.

Robson Vitor Freitas Reis, Instituto de Estudos Sociais e Políticos da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (IESP/UERJ)

Doutorando em Ciência Política pelo Instituto de Estudos Sociais e Políticos da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Mestre em Direito pela Faculdade de Direito e Ciências do Estado da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Especialista em Direito Constitucional Aplicado com capacitação para o Ensino no Magistério Superior pela Faculdade de Direito Professor Damásio de Jesus, Graduado em Direito pela Faculdade de Direito da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. Servidor Público no Campus de Varginha da Universidade Federal de Alfenas e Advogado registrado pelo Conselho Seccional de Minas Gerais da Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil.

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Published

2026-03-11 — Updated on 2026-04-03

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How to Cite

Dutra, F. V. M., & Reis, R. V. F. (2026). Star Wars and Constitutional Hermeneutics: An analysis of constitutional interpretation from the perspectives of Cass Sunstein and Ronald Dworkin. Direito E Práxis, 17(1). Retrieved from https://www.e-publicacoes.uerj.br/revistaceaju/article/view/90185 (Original work published March 11, 2026)

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2026): REVISTA DIREITO E PRÁXIS

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Franklin Vinícius Marques Dutra, Robson Vitor Freitas Reis (Autor/a)

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