Claude Gautier

Claude Gautier is a Professor of political philosophy and philosophy of social sciences at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon), affiliated with the Triangle laboratory (UMR 5206). He has held academic positions since 1994, including Director of the Triangle laboratory from 2016 to 2020. His research focuses on the intersection of political philosophy, social theory, and critical sociology, with a strong emphasis on the works of John Dewey, Pierre Bourdieu, Adam Smith, and the Scottish Enlightenment.

His academic contributions include influential books like La force du social (2012) and Voir et connaître la société (2020). He has supervised multiple doctoral students, including work on feminist epistemology and pragmatist philosophy. Gautier is actively involved in interdisciplinary research, particularly in gender studies and the defense of critical knowledge autonomy. His recent articles explore Dewey’s pragmatism, Bourdieu’s sociological methods, and critiques of division in Adam Smith’s thought.

Education:

• PhD in Philosophy (1990): Genesis of Liberal Civil Society at Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne
• Habilitation to Supervise Research (2002): Civil Society and Social Sciences at Université Paris X Nanterre

Research Interests: Gautier’s work bridges philosophy and social sciences, focusing on critical theory, epistemological foundations of sociology, and historical philosophy. He critiques intellectualism in sociology, examines Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and social practices, and explores Dewey’s pragmatic ethics. Recent projects include feminist standpoint theory and the ethics of care, emphasizing the role of moral imagination.

Grants & Leadership: He has coordinated research initiatives on gender studies and has served on CNRS committees. His 2020 report Les sciences humaines et sociales face à la pandémie de Covid-19 highlights interdisciplinary responses to societal challenges.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Triangle laboratory, focusing on political thought, gender studies, and critical social science. Collaborates with researchers across philosophy, sociology, and feminist theory.