Paul Garofalo

Paul Garofalo is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he began his role in August 2024. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Southern California, awarded in 2024. His research focuses on the legitimacy and justification of political authority, particularly the norms required for public justification, and the history of political philosophy with an emphasis on Thomas Hobbes.

• Current Role: Teaching Assistant Professor, UNC PPE Program
• Education: PhD in Philosophy (2024), University of Southern California
• Research Themes: Political legitimacy, Hobbesian philosophy, normative foundations of authority

Garofalo's ongoing work examines the moral and motivational basis of state authority, including how individuals should respond to laws they disagree with. He also investigates Hobbes's theory of obligation in relation to psychological and freedom-related dimensions. His contact information includes garofap@unc.edu and po.goffs@gmail.com.