معرفی
Niko Kolodny is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a Ph.D. (2003) and M.A. from Berkeley, and a B.A. (1994) from Williams College. Kolodny has held positions at Harvard University (Assistant Professor, 2003–2005) and the Australian National University (Research Associate, 2004; Harsanyi Fellow, 2013).
- Education
- B.A., Williams College, 1994
- M.A., University of Oxford, 1996
- Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 2003
Kolodny’s research spans moral and political philosophy, with a focus on social hierarchy, democratic legitimacy, and the ethical implications of interpersonal relationships. His work interrogates themes such as the justification of state coercion, the moral weight of consent, and the normative significance of equality. His 2023 book The Pecking Order: Social Hierarchy as a Philosophical Problem argues that social hierarchy—rather than individual freedom—is the core concern of liberal democratic thought.
Recent publications analyze voting power dynamics in majoritarian democracies, redefine social power through subordination, and explore the ethics of gerrymandering. His work frequently engages with thinkers like Scanlon, Raz, and Parfit, emphasizing the interplay between practical reasoning, normativity, and institutional design.
- Scientific Awards
- Jacob Javits Fellowship (1998–2001)
- University Fellowship (1997–98, 2001–03)
- Henry Wilde Prize in Philosophy (1996)
- Divisional Distinguished Teaching Award (2010–11)
Kolodny has advised numerous graduate students and served on dissertation committees at Berkeley, Harvard, and in interdisciplinary programs. He is an affiliate of the Center for Human-Compatible AI and contributes to editorial boards of Philosophy and Public Affairs, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and Oxford Studies in Political Philosophy.
