Gordon Finlayson

Professor Gordon Finlayson is a Professor of Social and Political Philosophy at the University of Sussex, based in the School of Media, Arts and Humanities. He holds a prominent role as a core faculty member of the Centre for Social and Political Thought and previously served as its director. His academic journey includes studies at the University of St. Andrews, an M.A. in Continental Philosophy from the University of Essex, and a Ph.D. on Hegel's critique of Kant. He has held positions at the Freie Universität and Humboldt University of Berlin, and was a lecturer at the University of York before joining Sussex in 2004.

Finlayson's research focuses on social and political philosophy, ethics (ancient and modern), and the history of philosophy, with expertise in Kant, Hegel, Frankfurt School Critical Theory, and figures like Adorno, Horkheimer, and Habermas. Notable works include The Habermas-Rawls Debate (2019) and edited volumes on Marxist modernism and Hegel's influence. He has secured grants, including the AHRC-funded 'Freedom from Hegel: Heidegger's question and Schmitt's constitution' (2020–2025).

His teaching spans undergraduate and graduate modules on Kant, social/political thought, and critical theory. He has supervised doctoral students such as Hiroko Gay Taguchi. Professional roles include editorial board memberships, conference organization (e.g., 'Critical Theory at 100'), and public engagements like the New Books Network interview on his Habermas-Rawls book.

Finlayson actively advocates for the humanities in higher education, serving on the British Philosophical Association's Executive Committee (2004–2012) and the Society for European Philosophy's leadership. His work bridges philosophical traditions with contemporary social issues, emphasizing critical theory's relevance to modern political and ethical challenges.