Gabriel Abend

Gabriel Abend is an Associate Professor of Sociology at New York University and Professor of Sociology at the University of Lucerne. His research spans sociological theory, business ethics, and the social, economic, and organizational foundations of neuroscience.

• Education: PhD in Sociology from Northwestern University; BA in Political Science and History from Universidad de la República (Uruguay)
• Fellowships: Institut d'Études Avancées de Paris, Max-Planck-Institut für Gesellschaftsforschung, Lichtenberg-Kolleg, Max-Weber-Kolleg für kultur- und sozialwissenschaftliche Studien

Abend investigates sociological theory, economic sociology, and the interplay between morality and decision-making. His work on the "moral background" introduces a third level of morality beyond behavioral and normative layers, focusing on societal repertoires of moral concepts. He also analyzes the ubiquity of "decisionism" in contemporary societies and organizations, exploring why decision-making frameworks dominate moral and economic discourse.

His research extends to neuroscience's social life, examining fields like neuro-economics and neuro-law. He questions why neuroscience insights into socio-psychological phenomena are persuasive and how their success reflects on modern institutions and self-understandings.

Scientific Recognition:

• Lewis A. Coser Award for Theoretical Agenda Setting (2017)