2008 Woodie Awards
Judea Pearl gives lecture
Kaitlin O'Reilly
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: News
On Feb. 4 Dr. Judea Pearl gave a lecture titled, "Can we Talk Ourselves to Peace" in the University Commons.
In 2002, Dr. Pearl's son, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was abducted and murdered by Islamic extremists in Pakistan. After his death, Dr. Pearl, along with family and friends, formed the organization in order to continue his legacy.
"He was a journalist who unveiled the human face," said Dr. Pearl
Dr. Pearl is currently a professor of computer science at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has written three books on artificial intelligence including heuristics, probabilistic reasoning, and causality. However, he has become recognized around the world for his creation of the Daniel Pearl Foundation.
During the Lecture, Dr. Pearl spoke of his son's passions and how he has based the organization upon them. Described in the foundations website, "The Daniel Pearl Foundation has been formed to address the root causes of this tragedy, in the spirit, style, and principles that shaped Danny's work and character.
Pearl said that "journalism, music and dialogue" are the core methods that the foundation uses to promote cross-cultural understanding. The foundation has produced several different projects that address the encouragement of peace inspired by these concepts.
In addition, the Pearl Youth Initiatives and the Annual Daniel Pearl Fellowship focus on the encouragement of "responsible and creative journalism."
"Journalists can reach so many people. They play an enormous role," said Dr. Pearl.
Dr. Pearl noted the potential that students have for promoting peace, but said, "American students must have a dose of American pride before they can contribute in the promotion of cross cultural understanding. They must be proud of their culture. They have a lot to be proud of. When they appear apologetic, they accomplish nothing."
In the lecture, Dr. Pearl described the basis of his book, "I am Jewish," which he co-wrote with wife, Ruth Pearl.
The book is structured around Daniel Pearl's last words, "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish." It contains contributors from renowned Jewish leaders to pop culture icons, such as Shia LaBeouf and Sarah Silverman.
"I was very inspired by Shimon Peres, Richard Dreyfuss, and Rabbi Lawrence Kushner," said Dr. Pearl.
Dr. Pearl focused his lecture, not on the death of his son, but on the opportunity to promote peace and understanding that arose from their loss.
"How can one mention God and cope with a horrible injustice, the brutal murder of the most gentle person I know. The truth is I don't. I simply place my mind on opportunity," said Dr. Pearl. "Hatred killed our son and hatred we shall fight for the rest of our lives."
In 2002, Dr. Pearl's son, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was abducted and murdered by Islamic extremists in Pakistan. After his death, Dr. Pearl, along with family and friends, formed the organization in order to continue his legacy.
"He was a journalist who unveiled the human face," said Dr. Pearl
Dr. Pearl is currently a professor of computer science at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has written three books on artificial intelligence including heuristics, probabilistic reasoning, and causality. However, he has become recognized around the world for his creation of the Daniel Pearl Foundation.
During the Lecture, Dr. Pearl spoke of his son's passions and how he has based the organization upon them. Described in the foundations website, "The Daniel Pearl Foundation has been formed to address the root causes of this tragedy, in the spirit, style, and principles that shaped Danny's work and character.
Pearl said that "journalism, music and dialogue" are the core methods that the foundation uses to promote cross-cultural understanding. The foundation has produced several different projects that address the encouragement of peace inspired by these concepts.
In addition, the Pearl Youth Initiatives and the Annual Daniel Pearl Fellowship focus on the encouragement of "responsible and creative journalism."
"Journalists can reach so many people. They play an enormous role," said Dr. Pearl.
Dr. Pearl noted the potential that students have for promoting peace, but said, "American students must have a dose of American pride before they can contribute in the promotion of cross cultural understanding. They must be proud of their culture. They have a lot to be proud of. When they appear apologetic, they accomplish nothing."
In the lecture, Dr. Pearl described the basis of his book, "I am Jewish," which he co-wrote with wife, Ruth Pearl.
The book is structured around Daniel Pearl's last words, "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish." It contains contributors from renowned Jewish leaders to pop culture icons, such as Shia LaBeouf and Sarah Silverman.
"I was very inspired by Shimon Peres, Richard Dreyfuss, and Rabbi Lawrence Kushner," said Dr. Pearl.
Dr. Pearl focused his lecture, not on the death of his son, but on the opportunity to promote peace and understanding that arose from their loss.
"How can one mention God and cope with a horrible injustice, the brutal murder of the most gentle person I know. The truth is I don't. I simply place my mind on opportunity," said Dr. Pearl. "Hatred killed our son and hatred we shall fight for the rest of our lives."
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