"Truly scientific in spirit and method, presenting its subject with the balance, restraint and clarity which have marked the author's distinguished service as a judge."—Harlan F. Stone, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, 1942–1946

In this classic treatise a Supreme Court Justice describes in simple and understandable language the conscious and unconscious processes by which a judge decides a case. He discusses the sources of information to which he appeals for guidance and analyzes the contribution that considerations of precedent, logical consistency, custom, social welfare, and standards of justice and morals have in shaping his decisions.