About
Arthur Ripstein is a University Professor at the University of Toronto, with appointments in both the Faculty of Law and the Department of Philosophy. His work bridges Kantian ethics, political philosophy, and legal theory, focusing on torts, public right, and the moral foundations of law. He has received prestigious accolades including the Killam Prize (2021) and University Professor (2016).
Ripstein’s research, particularly in Kantian legal philosophy, explores themes like:
- The division of moral and legal responsibilities in war and civil society
- PUBLIC LAW as a framework for coercive legitimacy
- TORT THEORY and the ethics of private wrongs
- WAR ETHICS through Kant’s jus ad bellum and jus in bello
His recent articles (2024–2019) analyze:
- DISAGREEMENT IN WAR and its moral implications
- KANT’S THEORY OF FREEDOM and its evolution
- COERCION AND MORALITY in legal contexts
- COMPARATIVE LEGAL PHILOSOPHY (e.g., Kant vs. Rawls)
Notable scientific awards include:
- Killam Prize (2021)
- Killam Fellowship (2016)
- JJ Berry Smith Doctoral Supervision Award (2019)
- Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (2010)
He has held editorial roles in Philosophy and Public Affairs, Legal Theory, and Canadian Journal of Law and Jurisprudence. His public intellectual work appears on CBC Radio One and in podcasts on Kant and Private Law.
