Allan Gibbard

Allan Gibbard (b. 1942) is the Richard B. Brandt Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Allan Gibbard has made several important contributions to contemporary ethical theory, in particular metaethics. He has also published articles in the philosophy of language, metaphysics, and social choice theory.

Gibbard has written two books in ethical theory: Wise Choices, Apt Feelings: A Theory of Normative Judgment (1990) develops a general theory of moral judgment and judgments of rationality; Thinking How to Live (2003) offers an argument for reconfiguring the distinctions between normative and descriptive discourse.

Gibbard has been a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Econometric Society, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. He served as President of the Central Division of the American Philosophical Association from 2001 to 2002.

Gibbard received his BA in mathematics from Swarthmore College in 1963 with minors in physics and philosophy. After teaching mathematics and physics in Ghana with the Peace Corps (1963-1965), Gibbard studied philosophy at Harvard University, earning his Ph.D. in 1971 under the direction of John Rawls. He served as professor of philosophy at the University of Chicago (1969-1974), and the University of Pittsburgh (1974-1977), before joining the University of Michigan. Gibbard chaired the University of Michigan's Philosophy Department (1987-1988) and has held the title of Richard B. Brandt Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy since 1994.