In Sensible Judgement

Taking its bearings from classic texts including Plato, Kant, Hegel and Arendt this thoughtful and intriguing book provides philosophical reflection on what it is to judge and what judgement achieves alongside, and sometimes in competition with, thinking and willing. Opening with the landmark Mabo High Court case in Australia and with detailed reference to other significant debates of judgement of the twentieth century Max Deutscher seeks to explore and explain approaches to the concepts of what is good, right and legal. Describing a connection between reason and grounds intrinsic to judgement he analyses and explores the tendency towards absolutism that displaces proper judgement. By weaving concrete instances of judgement with philosophical thought Deutscher provides a fascinating phenomenology of practices of judgement that should appeal to all readers with an interest in legal, philosophical and political thought.

Contents: Preface; Introduction; Part I Achieving Judgement: In sensible judgement; Deemed and sentenced; Dissenting judgement. Part II Making Judgements: Judging as right; Living on the premises; Inferring, judging arguing. Part III Questioning Critique: Sting of reason; Mystique of critique; Enigma absolute. Part IV Moving Establishment: Nomadic judgement; Chasing after modernity: some friendly words for the postmodern; When to forget; Bibliography; Index.