The Heart of Judgment
Practical Wisdom, Neuroscience, and Narrative

The Heart of Judgment explores the nature, historical significance, and contemporary relevance of practical wisdom.

Leslie Paul Thiele (Author)

9780521864442, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 4 September 2006

334 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.66 kg

"It (The Heart of Judgment) dispenses with preexisting molds of how political theory dispenses with preexisting molds of how political theory "should be done", and does so with daring and ambition. Moreover, it makes significant lateral contributions as it proceeds with its central argument..It is Thiele's credit that he is able to build an impressive architectonic for such a bridge...A valiant and valuable attempt to break the boundaries of traditional political theory."
Diego A. von Vacano, Theory and Event

The Heart of Judgment explores the nature, historical significance, and continuing relevance of practical wisdom. Primarily a work in moral and political thought, it also relies extensively on research in cognitive neuroscience to confirm and extend our understanding of the faculty of judgment. Ever since the ancient Greeks first discussed practical wisdom, the faculty of judgment has been an important topic for philosophers and political theorists. It remains one of the virtues most demanded of our public officials. The greater the liberties and responsibilities accorded to citizens in democratic regimes, the more the health and welfare of society rest upon their exercise of good judgment. While giving full credit to the roles played by reason and deliberation in good judgment, the book underlines the central importance of intuition, emotion, and worldly experience.

Introduction
1. An intellectual history of judgment
2. The indispensability of experience
3. The power of the unconscious
4. The imperative of affect
5. The riches of narrative
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Neurosciences [PSAN], Cognitivism, cognitive theory [JMAQ], Social & political philosophy [HPS], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]