The Philosophical Gourmet Report, founded by Brian Leiter in 1989, became a widely recognized ranking system for graduate philosophy programs in the English-speaking world. Born in Manhattan in 1963, Leiter built a career as both a jurist and a philosopher, holding faculty positions at the University of Chicago and the University of Texas School of Law.
Academic Background
Leiter completed his undergraduate studies at Princeton University in 1984. He subsequently pursued graduate work at the University of Michigan, earning a J.D. in 1987 and a Ph.D. in 1995. His doctoral dissertation was supervised by Peter Railton. Before establishing his long-term tenure at the University of Chicago in 2008, he held teaching roles at the University of San Diego and the University of California, San Diego. He also served as the director of the Law and Philosophy Program during his time at the University of Texas.
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Leiter is recognized for his development of naturalized jurisprudence, a methodological approach detailed in his 2007 book, Naturalizing Jurisprudence: Essays on American Legal Realism and Naturalism in Legal Philosophy. He argues that philosophers should rely on empirical phenomena and social scientific literature to analyze legal behavior. His work also includes the entry on naturalism for the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and editorial contributions to Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Law and the journal Legal Theory.
Continental Philosophy and Religious Liberty
A significant portion of Leiter's scholarship focuses on Nietzsche and Marx. His 2002 book, Nietzsche on Morality, interpreted the philosopher through the lens of naturalism. Additionally, he co-edited The Oxford Handbook of Continental Philosophy. Beyond his work on Nietzsche, Leiter authored Why Tolerate Religion?, which examined the ethics of religious tolerance. The book received varied critical reception, earning a designation as an Outstanding Academic Title by Choice in 2013 while facing criticism from other organizations.
The Philosophical Gourmet Report
Starting as a list of 25 graduate programs in 1989, the Philosophical Gourmet Report grew into an influential, albeit controversial, ranking tool for the discipline. Leiter managed the publication for 25 years. Throughout its history, the project faced protests from the academic community. He eventually stepped down from his editorial role, passing responsibility to Berit Brogaard and Christopher Pynes. The report is now published under the Wiley-Blackwell imprint.
Fast facts
- Born: 1963, Manhattan
- Education: Princeton University, University of Michigan
- Current Position: Karl N. Llewellyn Professor of Jurisprudence, University of Chicago
- Primary Fields: Legal philosophy, Continental philosophy
- Key Publications: Naturalizing Jurisprudence, Nietzsche on Morality, Why Tolerate Religion?
- Notable Role: Founder, Center for Law, Philosophy & Human Values
- Religion: Atheism
- Citizenship: United States
Questions readers ask
What is the Philosophical Gourmet Report?
It is an internationally recognized ranking of philosophy PhD programs, which Leiter founded in 1989 and managed for 25 years.
What is Leiter's stance on Nietzsche?
Leiter interprets Nietzsche as a philosophical naturalist, a view he articulated in his 2002 book, Nietzsche on Morality.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of California, San Diego and University of Chicago
