Final answer:
Justice Brandeis applied the concept of a living law in the Muller v. Oregon case by utilizing a wealth of data and social science evidence to justify an Oregon law that limited women's work hours. His approach showed a departure from strict constitutional interpretation and argued that law must evolve to meet current social conditions and needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Justice Louis Brandeis applied the concept of a living law in the case of Muller v. Oregon by arguing that the law should be adaptable to the current social conditions and realities. In this landmark 1908 case, Brandeis defended an Oregon law that limited women's work hours, a protectionist measure premised on the idea of women's physical structure and the performance of maternal functions. Brandeis's innovative defense included a plethora of data and social science statistics, known as the 'Brandeis Brief,' to justify the law's impact on public welfare, thus moving beyond the rigid interpretation of the Constitution and statutes to a more flexible approach that considered the needs of living people.
By emphasizing the importance of considering the broader social consequences and factual evidence, Brandeis contributed to the development of the concept of a living Constitution, which suggests that legal interpretation must evolve with society. His belief that the law should serve the social needs and interests of the people was reflective of the progressive era's shift from laissez-faire constitutional interpretation to one that allowed for governmental intervention in the economy and society for the sake of protecting public interest.