Final answer:
Judicial activism is a philosophy where judges may interpret the law to protect individual rights and achieve social justice, often viewing the Constitution as a living document. It contrasts with judicial restraint, where judges adhere to precedent and construe the Constitution according to its original meaning. The correct answer to the question is option 'c'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The philosophy of judicial activism involves judges being willing to strike down laws and governmental actions they view as infringing upon individual rights and liberties. This approach often sees the Constitution as a living document and allows more broad interpretation to adapt to societal changes. With judicial activism, the role of the judge extends beyond strict adherence to existing law and precedent; instead, judges may use their power to promote broader notions of justice, equality, and personal liberty. Options that may seem related but do not accurately define judicial activism include total disregard of judicial precedent, promoting governmental interference, and protecting people from government interference. These do not grasp the essence of judicial activism, which is more about judges taking an active role in interpreting the law to guard and extend rights and achieving social justice objectives, even if this means reinterpreting the Constitution in a more expansive way than might have been done in the past.
Judicial restraint, on the other hand, is a philosophy that argues for courts to avoid stepping into policy decisions and to respect the roles of the legislative and executive branches. Judges who follow this philosophy tend to adhere strictly to precedent and the original meanings of constitutional provisions, showing deference to the decisions made by elected officials unless a law is clearly unconstitutional.
The correct answer to the question, 'What is the philosophy of judicial activism?', would be option 'c': Should interpret the law to protect rights of individuals to achieve social justice.