Bruce Ledewitz

SPRING
Philosophy of Law

"Bends Towards Justice" is an original podcast created and hosted by Duquesne Kline's Professor Bruce Ledewitz. The show is produced in partnership with The August Wilson African American Cultural Center and funded by The Pittsburgh Foundation. The podcast asks a simple, but fundamental question-do we agree with Dr. King that arc of the moral universe bends toward justice? The guests in this series provide a variety of perspectives on that question. The goal of the podcast is for the listener to understand what is at stake in this question and to come to a decision.

Episode 1

Introduction to MLK's concept that the arc of the moral universe bends towards justice

Episode 2

Michael Shermer: Despite the discourse, at present, humanity is kinder and gentler

Episode 3

A conversation with Joseph Carter: The universe doesn't care about your purpose

Episode 4

A conversation with Christian Miller: Is character in decline in America?

Episode 5

A conversation with Tracey McCants Lewis: Will the moral universe bend toward justice?

Episode 6

Damon Young doesn't want to wait for the arc

• The Universe is on Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Universe is on Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life (Oxford University Press 2021).
• Church, State, and the Crisis in American Secularism
  Bruce Ledewitz, Church, State, and the Crisis in American Secularism (Indiana University Press 2011).
• Hallowed Secularism: Theory, Belief, Practice
  Bruce Ledewitz, Hallowed Secularism: Theory, Belief, Practice (Palgrave Macmillan 2009).
• American Religious Democracy: Coming to Terms with the End of Secular Politics
  Bruce Ledewitz, American Religious Democracy: Coming to Terms with the End of Secular Politics (Praeger 2007).

• This Earthly Frame: The Making of American Secularism, by David Sehat [book review]
  Bruce Ledewitz, This Earthly Frame: The Making of American Secularism, Journal of Church and State (2022) (reviewing David Sehat, This Earthly Frame: The Making of American Secularism).
• Secular Surge: A New Fault Line in American Politics, by David E. Campbell, Geoffrey C. Layman, and John C. Green [book review]
  Bruce Ledewitz, Secular Surge: A New Fault Line in American Politics. Journal of Church and State (2021) (reviewing David E. Campbell, Geoffrey C. Layman, and John C. Green, Secular Surge: A New Fault Line in American Politics).
• What Has Gone Wrong and What Can We Do About It? [book review]
  Bruce Ledewitz, What Has Gone Wrong and What Can We Do About It? 54 Tulsa L. Rev. 247 (2019) (reviewing Benjamin I Page and Martin Gilens, Democracy in America (2018), Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, How Democracies Die (2018) and Lawrence Lessig, America, Compromised (2018)).
• The Sacred Rights of Conscience, Edited by Daniel L. Dreisbach and Mark David Hall [book review]
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Sacred Rights of Conscience, Edited by Daniel L. Dreisbach and Mark David Hall, 5 Unbound - Ann. Rev. Leg. Hist. & Rare Books 100 (2012).

• No Balancing for Anti-Constitutional Government Conduct
  Bruce Ledewitz, No Balancing for Anti-Constitutional Government Conduct, Univ. of Illinois Law Review Online 80 (2023)
• Controlling the Supreme Court - Is There a Future for American Law?
  Bruce Ledewitz, Controlling the Supreme Court - Is There a Future for American Law (Foreword I), Wis. L. Rev. 447 (2023)
• An Alternative to the Independent State Legislature Doctrine
  Bruce Ledewitz, An Alternative to the Independent State Legislature Doctrine, 61 Duq. L. Rev. 114 (2022)
• A Call for America's Law Professors to Oppose Court-Packing
  Bruce Ledewitz, A Call for America's Law Professors to Oppose Court-Packing, Pepperdine L.Rev. (2019).
• The Supreme Court Will Preserve the Bladensburg Cross, But It Matters How
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Supreme Court Will Preserve the Bladensburg Cross, But It Matters How, Washington Examiner, March 21, 2019.
• What is the Best Model for Investigating Presidential Wrongdoing Today?
  Bruce Ledewitz, What is the Best Model for Investigating Presidential Wrongdoing Today?, 57 Duq. L.Rev. 225 (2019).
• SCOTUS Gerrymandering Case: Roberts Didn't Defend Constitutional Democracy
  Bruce Ledewitz, SCOTUS Gerrymandering Case: Roberts Didn't Defend Constitutional Democracy, Pennsylvania Capital-Star, July 2, 2019.
• Is There Room for a Middle Ground in the Debate Over Abortion Rights?
  Bruce Ledewitz, Is There Room for a Middle Ground in the Debate Over Abortion Rights?, Pennsylvania Capital-Star, June 27, 2019.
• Taking the Threat to Democracy Seriously
  Bruce Ledewitz, Taking the Threat to Democracy Seriously, 49 U. Memphis L.Rev. 1305 (2019). 
• How State Courts Can Help America Recover the Rule of Law: The Pennsylvania Experience
  Bruce Ledewitz, How State Courts Can Help America Recover the Rule of Law: The Pennsylvania Experience, 82 Albany L.Rev. 1325 (2019).
• The Obama Judge and the Foundations of the Rule of Law
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Obama Judge and the Foundations of the Rule of Law, Jurist, December 2, 2018.
• The Resurrection of Trust in American Law and Public Discourse
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Resurrection of Trust in American Law and Public Discourse, 56 Duq. L.Rev. 21-47 (Summer 2018).
• Kennedy's Retirement: Despair Not, Go Out and Organize
  Bruce Ledewitz, Kennedy's Retirement: Despair Not, Go Out and Organize, Jurist, June 28, 2018.
• Why Won't Free Speech Save Us?
  Bruce Ledewitz, Why Won't Free Speech Save Us?, Starting Points, June 11, 2018.
• When I Left the Darwin Day Committee
  Bruce Ledewitz, When I Left the Darwin Day Committee, 122 Penn St. L. Rev. Penn Statim 1 (2018).
• A Lost Opportunity to Reach a Consensus on Gerrymandering
  Bruce Ledewitz, A Lost Opportunity to Reach a Consensus on Gerrymandering, Jurist, Feb. 13, 2018.
• Has Nihilism Politicized the Supreme Court Nomination Process?
  Bruce Ledewitz, Has Nihilism Politicized the Supreme Court Nomination Process? 32 BYU J. Pub. L. 1-46 (2017).
• Is Religion a Non-Negotiable Aspect of Liberal Constitutionalism?
  Bruce Ledewitz, Is Religion a Non-Negotiable Aspect of Liberal Constitutionalism?, 2017 Mich. St. L. Rev. 209 (2017).
• The Role of Religiously Affiliated Law Schools in the Renewal of American Democracy
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Role of Religiously Affiliated Law Schools in the Renewal of American Democracy, 12 U. Mass. L. Rev. 230 (2017).
• The Threat of Independent Political Spending to Democratic Life - and a Plan to Stop It
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Threat of Independent Political Spending to Democratic Life - and a Plan to Stop It, 64 (2) Clev. St. L. Rev. 133 (2016).
• The Five Days in June when Values Died in American Law
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Five Days in June when Values Died in American Law, 49 (1) Akron L. Rev. 115 (2016).
• Beyond Edmunds: The State Constitutional Legacy of Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille
  Bruce Ledewitz, Beyond Edmunds: The State Constitutional Legacy of Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille, 53 Duq. L. Rev. 371 (2015).
• An Addendum in Light of Recent Developments
  Bruce Ledewitz, An Addendum in Light of Recent Developments, 53  Duq. L. Rev. 561 (2015).
• Experimenting with Religious Liberty: The Quasi-Constitutional Status of Religious Exemptions
  Bruce Ledewitz, Experimenting with Religious Liberty: The Quasi-Constitutional Status of Religious Exemptions, 6 Elon L.R. 37 (2014).
• The Vietnam Draft Cases and the Pro-Religion Equality Project
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Vietnam Draft Cases and the Pro-Religion Equality Project 43 U. Balt. L.Rev. 1 (2014).
• Robert Taylor, An Appreciation
  Bruce Ledewitz, Robert Taylor, An Appreciation, 50 Duq. L. Rev. 469 (2012).
• Toward a Meaning-Full Establishment Clause Neutrality
  Bruce Ledewitz, Toward a Meaning-Full Establishment Clause Neutrality, 87 Chi.-Kent L. Rev. 3 (2012).
• Seeking Common Ground: A Secular Statement
  Bruce Ledewitz, Seeking Common Ground: A Secular Statement, 38 Hastings Const. L.Q. 49 (2010).
• Could Government Speech Endorsing a Higher Law Resolve the Establishment Clause Crisis
  Bruce Ledewitz, Could Government Speech Endorsing a Higher Law Resolve the Establishment Clause Crisis, 41 St. Mary's L.J. 41 (2009)
• The New New Secularism and the End of the Law of Separation of Church and State
  Bruce Ledewitz, The New New Secularism and the End of the Law of Separation of Church and State, 28 Buff. Pub. Int. L.J. 1 (2009)
• Up Against the Wall of Separation: The Question of American Religious Democracy
  Bruce Ledewitz, Up Against the Wall of Separation: The Question of American Religious Democracy, 14 Wm. & Mary Bill Rts. J. 555 (2005) 
• The Present and Future of Federalism
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Present and Future of Federalism, 43 Duq. L. Rev. 645 (2005).
• Justice Harlan's Law and Democracy
  Bruce Ledewitz, Justice Harlan's Law and Democracy, 20 J.L. & Pol. 373 (2004)
• A Constitution for Everyone
  Bruce Ledewitz, A Constitution for Everyone, 43 Duq. L. Rev. 1 (2004).
• Corporate Advertising's Democracy
  Bruce Ledewitz, Corporate Advertising's Democracy, 12 B.U. Pub. Int. L.J. 389 (2003).
• The Openness of Talmud
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Openness of Talmud, 41 Duq. L. Rev. 353 (2003)
• The Promise of Democracy
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Promise of Democracy, 32 Cap. U. L. Rev. 407 (2003).
• The Constitutions of Sustainable Capitalism and Beyond
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Constitutions of Sustainable Capitalism and Beyond, 29 B. C. Envtl. Aff. L Rev. 229 (2002) 
• Mr. Carroll's Mental State or What is Meant by Intent
  Bruce Ledewitz, Mr. Carroll's Mental State or What is Meant by Intent, 38 Am. Crim. L. Rev. 71 (2001).
• When Federal Law is Also State Law: The Implications for State Constitutional Law Methodology of Footnote Seven in Commonwealth v. Matos
  Bruce Ledewitz, When Federal Law is Also State Law: The Implications for State Constitutional Law Methodology of Footnote Seven in Commonwealth v. Matos, 72 Temp. L. Rev. 561 (1999)
• Establishing a Federal Constitutional Right to a Healthy Environment in Us and in Our Posterity
  Bruce Ledewitz, Establishing a Federal Constitutional Right to a Healthy Environment in Us and in Our Posterity, 68 Miss. L.J. 565 (1998)
• The Law of the Jubilee in Modern Perspective
  Bruce Ledewitz; Robert D. Taylor, The Law of the Jubilee in Modern Perspective, 22 Vt. L. Rev. 157 (1997)
• Law and the Coming Environmental Catastrophe
  Bruce Ledewitz; Robert D. Taylor, Law and the Coming Environmental Catastrophe, 21 Wm. & Mary. Envtl. L. & Pol'y Rev. 599 (1997)
• Recent Developments in Pennsylvania Death Penalty Law
  Bruce Ledewitz, Recent Developments in Pennsylvania Death Penalty Law, 33 Duq. L. Rev. 523 (1995)
• Perspectives on the Law of the American Sit-in
  Bruce Ledewitz, Perspectives on the Law of the American Sit-in, 16 Whittier L. Rev. 499 (1995)
• The Role of Lower State Courts in Adapting State Law to Changed Federal Interpretations
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Role of Lower State Courts in Adapting State Law to Changed Federal Interpretations, 67 Temp. L. Rev. (1994).
• What's Really Wrong with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
  Bruce Ledewitz, What's Really Wrong with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 32 Duq. L. Rev. 3 (1994).
• No Punishment without Cruelty
  Bruce Ledewitz; Scott Staples, No Punishment without Cruelty, 4 Geo. Mason U. C.R. L.J. 41 (1993).
• Sources of Injustice in Death Penalty Practice: The Pennsylvania Experience
  Bruce Ledewitz, Sources of Injustice in Death Penalty Practice: The Pennsylvania Experience, 95 Dickinson L. Rev. 651-690 (1991).
• The Morality of Capital Punishment: An Exchange
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Morality of Capital Punishment: An Exchange, 29 Duq. L. Rev. 719 (1991).
• Civil Disobedience, Injunctions, and the First Amendment
  Bruce Ledewitz, Civil Disobedience, Injunctions, and the First Amendment, 19 Hofstra L. Rev. 67 (1990).
• An Essay Concerning Judicial Resignation and Non-Cooperation in the Presence of Evil
  Bruce Ledewitz, An Essay Concerning Judicial Resignation and Non-Cooperation in the Presence of Evil, 27 Duq. L. Rev. 1 (1988).
• Judicial Conscience and Natural Rights: A Reply to Professor Jaffa
  Bruce Ledewitz, Judicial Conscience and Natural Rights: A Reply to Professor Jaffa, 10 U. Puget Sound L. Rev. 449 (1987).
• The Requirement of Death: Mandatory Language in the Pennsylvania Death Penalty Statute
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Requirement of Death: Mandatory Language in the Pennsylvania Death Penalty Statute, 21 Duq. L. Rev. 103 (1982)
• The Uncertain Power of the President to Execute the Laws
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Uncertain Power of the President to Execute the Laws, 46 Tenn. L. Rev. 757 (1979).

• Law's Quandary Can Only Be Solved by the Universe--and that goes for the rest of us, too.
  Bruce Ledewitz, Law's Quandary Can Only Be Solved by the Universe--and that goes for the rest of us, too, Larry Grimes Lecture at Bethany College (Oct. 7, 2021)
• Recent Developments in Pennsylvania Constitutional Law
  Bruce Ledewitz, Recent Developments in Pennsylvania Constitutional Law, Duquesne University School of Law Continuing Legal Education (Sept. 25, 2021)
• The Constitution and Citizenship in America
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Constitution and Citizenship in America, Constitution Day Duquesne University School of Law (Sept. 17, 2021)
• Saving Judicial Independence From Court-Packing and Nihilism
  Bruce Ledewitz, Saving Judicial Independence From Court-Packing and Nihilism, Celebrating 150 Years of Nine Justices, Elon Law Review Ledewitz interviewing Tracey McCants Lewis. Symposium on Judicial Independence (Sept. 27, 2019).
  
• Anti-Semitism
  Bruce Ledewitz, Anti-Semitism, panel presentation at Duquesne University (March 18, 2019).
• To Save American Democracy, Prevent Court-Packing
  Bruce Ledewitz, To Save American Democracy, Prevent Court-Packing, presentation at University of Memphis Law Review 2019 Symposium, Barriers at the Ballot Box: Protecting or Limiting the Core of the American Identity? (March 15, 2019).
• Special Counsel Investigations and Legal Ethics
  Bruce Ledewitz, Special Counsel Investigations and Legal Ethics, CLE at Duquesne Law School (February 8, 2019).
• The Resurrection of Trust in American Law and Public Discourse
  Bruce Ledewitz, The Resurrection of Trust in American Law and Public Discourse, symposium at Shall These Bones Live? Resurrecting Truth in American Law and Public Discourse (Nov. 16-17, 2017).
• Should the Death Penalty be Executed?
  Bruce Ledewitz, Should the Death Penalty be Executed?, Panel sponsored by the Federalist Society, The American Constitution Society and The Criminal Law Society at Duquesne University School of Law (2014).
• Tribute to Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille
  Bruce Ledewitz, Tribute to Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille, presentation at Duquesne University School of Law (Oct. 7, 2014).
• The End of an Era in Pennsylvania Constitutional Law: The Retirement of Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille
  Bruce Ledewitz, The End of an Era in Pennsylvania Constitutional Law: The Retirement of Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille, CLE at Duquesne University School of Law.
• Law and Religion in America Today
  Bruce Ledewitz, Law and Religion in America Today, CLE at St. Vincent University (August 18, 2013).
• Are We All Really Mostly Religious?
  Bruce Ledewitz, Are We All Really Mostly Religious?, presentation at the Third Church/State Issues Symposium of the Delaware Valley Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State (April 20 2013).
• We Are All Religious Now: How the Vietnam-Era Draft Cases Can Reduce America's Enmity Over Religion
  Bruce Ledewitz, We Are All Religious Now: How the Vietnam-Era Draft Cases Can Reduce America's Enmity Over Religion, presentation  at Florida State University Conference on Religion and Law in American History (March  24 2013).
• Meeting of Federalist Society
  Bruce Ledewitz, commentary on presentation by Greg Lukianoff, Director of FIRE, at meeting of Federalist Society at Duquesne University School of Law (March  20, 2013).
• On Taking Nihilism Seriously
  Bruce Ledewitz, Participant, On Taking Nihilism Seriously, panel at annual meeting of Lumen Christi and Christian Law Professors (Jan. 5, 2013).
• Secularism, Religion and Morality
  Bruce Ledewitz, Secularism, Religion and Morality, CLE presentation at Duquesne University School of Law (February 11, 2012).
• Emerging Issues in First Amendment Jurisprudence: Interpreting the Relationship Between Religion and the State in the Modern Age
  Bruce Ledewitz, Participant, Emerging Issues in First Amendment Jurisprudence: Interpreting the Relationship Between Religion and the State in the Modern Age, panel at Elon Law Review Symposium (October 26, 2012).
• Annual Religious Legal Theory Conference
  Bruce Ledewitz, Panel presentation at annual Religious Legal Theory Conference, at Pepperdine University School of Law (Feb. 25, 2012).
• Is There a Crisis in American Secularism?
  Bruce Ledewitz, Is There a Crisis in American Secularism?, delivered to the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Center for Inquiry (Jan. 12, 2012).

• Dr. John & Liz Murray Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship 2017
• Allegheny County Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award
• Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Liberty Award
• Marjorie Matson Civil Liberties Award