Judgment

evaluation of evidence to make a considered decision

The word judgment (also spelled judgement) means making a decision carefully, after studying and comparing all evidence that is available. A judgment may be about what is the best thing to do, or how to do it, or how to classify something or someone, or what to think about something.

Judgment may differ according to the topic:

  • In law it is a decision made by a judge, about whether a crime was committed and, if so, whether punishment should be given.
  • In psychology it is a decision based on wisdom. It is about making sensible decisions.
  • In religion it is about reward and punishment from a god. This is often called "Divine Judgment".
  • The word can be used in the sense of "opinion": "In my judgment...."
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