The judgment of Arendt

Abstract

The political philosopher Hannah Arendt argued that judgment is a vital component of human deliberation, enriching understanding and enhancing decision-making abilities. In this chapter, we explore her approach to judgment in relation to leadership and politics. After a short introduction of Arendt’s life and work, we examine how Arendt applies her ideas to leadership and the political realm. Next, we examine how she conceptualizes judgment, connecting her approach with the work of leadership scholars who view judgment as a form of practical wisdom. Then, we explore how an Arendtian approach to judgment offers insight into contemporary political events related to COVID-19. Specifically, we examine the conflicting opinions, and sometimes violent responses, to political orders mandating mask-wearing in public. In the concluding section, we explore how Arendtian judgment provides an additional contribution that may help scholars further understand the interconnections among leadership, judgment, and complex issues. © Anna B. Kayes and D. Christopher Kayes 2021.