 In spite of the interest in the Court 's demographics and the symbolism accompanying the inevitably political appointment process , and the views of some commentators that no demographic considerations should arise in the selection process , the gender , race , educational background or religious views of the justices has played little role in their jurisprudence . For example , the opinions of the two African @-@ American justices have reflected radically different judicial philosophies ; William Brennan and Antonin Scalia shared Catholic faith and a Harvard Law School education , but shared little in the way of jurisprudential philosophies . The court 's first two female justices voted together no more often than with their male colleagues , and historian Thomas R. Marshall writes that no particular " female perspective " can be discerned from their opinions . 
