International Conference

Conception: Susan Neiman, Potsdam, and Lorraine Daston, Berlin
With Ulrich Baer, New York; Avraham Burg, Jerusalem; Peter Galison, Cambridge/Mass.; Konstanty Gebert, Warsaw; Jennifer Homans, New York; Peter Kramer, Providence; Jed Perl, New York; Albie Sachs, Cape Town; Nahed Samour, Nijmegen; Judith Simon, Hamburg; Bettina Stangneth, Hamburg; Sean Wilentz, Princeton; Thomas Chatterton Williams, Paris; James Wood, Cambridge, Mass.

What is good judgment, and how is it distinct from intelligence? What distinguishes it from opinions, gut feelings, and personal truths? Since judgment is necessarily particular, the question must be considered in different spheres. How does a judge decide a case? How do literary and art and theatre critics make their judgments? How, for that matter, does an artist, a writer, or a director make judgments in creating the work itself? How does a doctor or a psychiatrist decide on a treatment? How does an umpire determine a foul? It is indeed impossible to avoid political questions about what (mis)judgments went into the most recent political disasters. What role does courage play in making a judgment? And what happens to our character when we are no longer called upon to exercise judgment? An international lineup of speakers who make their livings making judgments will explore these questions and more.