Page "Columbia Law School" Paragraph 15

Dwight believed that his method was superior to the case method because it helped to create trained legal practitioners ready to enter the profession rather than academics more suited to teaching.

In support of his position, Dwight cited the example of legal study throughout the Western World since the Roman empire: " It is not out of place in this connection to refer to the chosen methods of acquiring the Roman law, both as sanctioned by great jurists and by imperial authority, after an experience continuing through centuries.

. The Roman jurists had " cases " to deal with, precisely as we do.

They were not mere legal philosophers, but disposed of practical and " burning " questions of their time.

They were, however, in the habit of referring back to a legal principle in disposing of a concrete case, and believed that great principles could be so stated as to win the attention of students and give them a solid basis for future detailed acquisitions.

".