Graciela De Pierris is an American philosopher and academic specializing in political philosophy, the history of modern philosophy, and the work of Jean‑Jacques Rousseau. She holds the position of Professor of Philosophy at Yale University, where she teaches courses on political theory, the Enlightenment, and the history of political thought.
Education
De Pierris earned her doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Philosophy from Princeton University. Her dissertation focused on the political ideas of Rousseau and the development of modern concepts of tolerance.
Academic Career
Following her doctorate, De Pierris held faculty appointments at several institutions before joining the faculty of Yale University. At Yale, she is affiliated with the Department of Philosophy and participates in interdisciplinary programs related to political theory and intellectual history.
Research Interests
Her scholarly work examines the foundations of modern political thought, especially the notions of freedom, autonomy, and tolerance in the writings of Rousseau and his contemporaries. She has contributed to the study of the Enlightenment's impact on contemporary democratic theory.
Publications
De Pierris is the author of several monographs and articles, including:
- Rousseau and the Problem of Tolerance (Oxford University Press, 2000) – a detailed analysis of Rousseau’s views on religious and political tolerance.
- Rousseau’s Politics: Reason, Autonomy, and the Social Contract (Cambridge University Press, 2021) – an exploration of the relationship between rationality, individual autonomy, and collective governance in Rousseau’s political writings.
She has also contributed entries to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, notably on topics related to Rousseau’s political philosophy.
Professional Service
De Pierris has served on editorial boards of scholarly journals in political theory and has participated in conferences and workshops dedicated to the study of early modern political thought.
Recognition
Her contributions to the field have been recognized through research grants and invitations to speak at prominent academic institutions worldwide.
Bibliography (selected)
- De Pierris, Graciela. Rousseau and the Problem of Tolerance. Oxford University Press, 2000.
- De Pierris, Graciela. Rousseau’s Politics: Reason, Autonomy, and the Social Contract. Cambridge University Press, 2021.
Affiliations
- Department of Philosophy, Yale University
- American Philosophical Association
External Links
- Yale University faculty profile (available on Yale’s official website)
- Publications listed in academic databases such as JSTOR and PhilPapers.