The Silver Professors

About

The Julius Silver, Roslyn S. Silver, and Enid Silver Winslow Professorships are the product of a 2002 bequest made by the estate of Julius Silver, an attorney, philanthropist, and 1922 graduate of NYU.

Meant to strengthen the faculty of Arts & Science, emphasize the importance of undergraduate education, and ensure the advancement of the sciences at NYU, the Silver Professorships are one of the University's highest honors: the most prestigious named professorship NYU can offer its faculty. The bequest stipulates that NYU name 75 Silver Professors by 2023, with two-thirds among the faculty of Arts & Science and one-third in the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Silver Professors are chosen in recognition of their many accomplishments, as well as their exemplary commitment to undergraduate education.

At some point after their induction, Silver Professors write a paper relevant to their respective fields, published here as The Julius Silver, Roslyn S. Silver, and Enid Silver Winslow Dialogues in Arts and Science.

The Silver Dialogues in Arts and Science

Requiem of a Housing Boom and Bust
Sydney C. Ludvigson, Silver Professor of Economics
What really drives home values? Professor Ludvigson presents a novel model for understanding the various forces.
Arial shot of suburban houses
Juan Latino and the Dawn of Modernity
Michael Gomez, Silver Professor of History and Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies
500 years ago, Juan Latino was the first person of sub-Saharan descent to publish a book of poems in a Western language. Professor Gomez finds the beginnings of our ongoing global transformation in his story.
Medieval manuscript
The Cessation of Certainty
Joel H. Spencer, Silver Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
Looking for answers that may not exist: Prof. Spencer explores the profound philosophical impact the 1931 demonstration of undecidability has had on mathematics, computer science, and scholars in these fields.
Penrose triangle
What Do Linguists Do?
Alec Marantz, Silver Professor of Linguistics and Psychology
Professor Marantz explains how linguists illuminate the nature of humanity – for example, by showing why re-dance is an impossible word.
Book with scribbled notes on top of empty notebook
Computational Modeling in Neural Science
David W. McLaughlin, Silver Professor of Mathematics and Neural Science
In a technological breakthrough for understanding the human brain, Professor McLaughlin has developed biologically realistic mathematical models that reproduce laboratory experiments on a large scale.
Network of cables
Universality for Mathematical and Physical Systems
Percy A. Deift, Silver Professor of Mathematics
Professor Deift presents examples of an emerging field: thinking about mathematics in terms of large-scale systems.
Mathematic equations on blackboard
Perplexing ‘I’
Béatrice Longuenesse, Silver Professor Emerita of Philosophy
Modern philosophy is as preoccupied with ‘I’ as we individuals are. Professor Longuenesse dives into the role and meaning of the first person in language and thought.
Mirror on a wall
Relativism About Morality
Paul Boghossian, Silver Professor of Philosophy
Absolute moral truths can be difficult to define and defend. Does that make moral relativism the best option?
Sculpture of justice holding scales
Writing Histories of Sexuality in the Middle East
Leslie P. Peirce, Silver Professor Emerita of History
Challenges for academics and historians in this field abound, yet Professor Silver notes unconventional sources and interesting findings in her review of the histories available to us.
Ottoman manuscripts
Wave Momentum
Charles S. Peskin, Silver Professor of Mathematics and Neural Science
Professor Peskin explores the remarkable phenomenon of wave momentum.
Abstract wave shapes in succession
The Revision of Logical Laws
Hartry Field, Silver Professor of Philosophy
Can questioning the fundamental rules of logic ever be rational?
Wood blocks stacked in step shape
Mathematical Existence
Kit Fine, Silver Professor of Philosophy and Mathematics
In the ancient debate over whether mathematical objects are invented or discovered, Professor Fine sees a potential middle path.
Numbers in blocks
Economic Inequality, Polarization and Conflict
Debraj Ray, Silver Professor of Economics
Do market economies actually generate inequality and related social unrest?
Crack on a stone wall