Book Talk with David Luban

The Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL), the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies, and the Department of Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania are delighted to welcome David Luban, Distinguished University Professor at Georgetown Law, to Penn for a conversation on his new book, Powers of Judgment: Hannah Arendt’s Moral and Legal Philosophy (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2026). The book is a comprehensive study of Hannah Arendt's moral philosophy and her contributions to post-World War II international law and responsibility for war crimes. Luban shows how Arendt’s ideas about accountability remain critical to the moral and legal structures adopted in the latter half of the twentieth century and which remain with us to this day.

Moderated by Claire Finkelstein, Algernon Biddle Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania and Faculty Director of CERL, the talk will address war crimes and accountability, among other topics at the intersection of moral philosophy and international law.

A book sale and signing will follow.

This event is free to attend and open to the public. Advanced registration required.

This program has been approved for a total of 1.5 Ethics CLE credits for Pennsylvania lawyers. CLE credit may be available in other jurisdictions as well. Attendees seeking CLE credit can make a payment via cash or check made payable to "The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” on the day of the event in the amount of $60.00 ($30.00 public interest/non-profit attorneys). In order to receive the appropriate amount of credit, evaluation forms must be completed.

Penn Carey Law Alumni receive CLE credits free through The W.P. Carey Foundation’s generous commitment to Lifelong Learning.