July 11-17, 2013
Aspen, CO
Moderators:
Goodwin Liu, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of California
Michael Fitts, Dean and Bernard G. Segal Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Every summer the Justice and Society Seminar brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds to discuss what we mean by justice and how a just society ought to deal with issues such as private conduct and public mores; the extent of entitlements; the breakdown of long-established hierarchies of race and gender; and whether the notion of justice has meaning beyond national boundaries.

The seminar enables participants to explore and test their values and beliefs in light of their professional and personal experiences. A structured dialogue is based on a volume of specially prepared readings of classic and contemporary writings, law cases, and works of literature, including Plato, John Stuart Mill, Martin Luther King, Jr., John Rawls, Isaiah Berlin, Herman Melville, and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Discussions topics include: Law, Morality, and Justice; Autonomy and Justice; The Economy and Justice; Gender and Justice; Race and Justice; Criminal Justice and the Morality of Punishment; and International Justice.

Roundtable discussions are led by two distinguished and experienced moderators: a federal judge and an academic. Among our past moderators are the late U.S. Supreme Court Justices Harry A. Blackmun and William J. Brennan, Jr., and current Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Judges Rosemary Barkett, William Fletcher, Abner Mikva, Jon Newman, Myron Thompson and John Walker; and Professors  Peter Edelman, Louis Henkin, Harold Hongju Koh, Burt Neuborne, Michael Sandel and William Treanor.

Seminar participants are distinguished individuals chosen from a variety of fields who bring a wealth of personal and professional experience to the discussion. They are often leaders in their respective communities who have reached a point where they are ready to take pause from their often hectic daily routine, and revisit the values and ideals that guide their work. Past participants include individuals from law, business, academia, journalism, medicine, nongovernmental organizations, and government.

The Seminar fee includes 7 days and 6 nights’ meals and accommodations at the Aspen Meadows Resort. Participants can relax and enjoy hiking in the Rocky Mountains, working out in the well-equipped health center, or join in afternoon activities such as white-water rafting, hiking, tennis and horseback riding. Evening activities include The Aspen Music Festival, BalletAspen, public lectures, and films. Spouses and guests who choose not to participate in the seminar itself are encouraged to audit the sessions and are members of the Seminar for all other group activities.

Seminars are limited to 25 participants, so early enrollment is strongly encouraged.

The Summer 2008 issue of the Aspen Idea magazine included a feature story on the Justice and Society Seminar.  Download

Praise from past participants:

"There are few spaces and places today where we can have vigorous and honest debate about fundamental questions of justice, free of soundbites and acrimony. I enjoyed the Justice and Society Seminar so much because it is a refuge for thoughtful considerations of the 'big ideas' that shape our society and the world. I left invigorated and renewed."          Justice Goodwin Liu, California Supreme Court

"As we bask in the glow of the past week, we have been thinking about what made it so extraordinary. It is one thing to participate in the best graduate seminar of all time. It is another thing to be in an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie that is like the best times with family and old friends. This was both."

"I bring broader perspectives, deeper reflections, and enhanced moral considerations to my work and life since participating in this seminar."

"My expectations were surpassed. Exposure to this seminar and method may be a seminal experience in my career."

"My week at the Justice and Society Seminar held in Aspen was simply beyond my expectations. I have had the privilege of attending several structured seminars and yours was far superior to all. It is redundant to mention the beauty of Aspen."

"Many thanks for including me in the Institute's activities. I learned more than I have in years, thought harder, and remembered the joys of searching for a more just legal system. Of course, the food, service, and atmosphere were perfect and you make it seem effortless."

"It would be the height of arrogance to predict that the world will be a better place because of what I got out of the Aspen week of reflection. Nevertheless, I certainly can say with conviction, that after Aspen I am bringing a greater clarity, a broader perspective, a deeper reflection and an enhanced moral consideration to my work and life."

"The curriculum you have developed is superbly designed to focus on key issues inhering in the challenge of achieving true justice. The timeless readings tied beautifully into current events now unfolding on the world stage ... listening to the differing perspectives each of the participants presented has already begun to broaden my own approach to addressing the challenges of my own work."

For additional information contact:

Meryl Chertoff, Director
The Justice and Society Program
The Aspen Institute
One Dupont Circle
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036-1133
meryl.chertoff@aspeninstitute.org