The Philosophical Gourmet Report

The Philosophical Gourmet Report is a ranking and evaluation of graduate programs in philosophy across the English-speaking world. The report assesses departments based on faculty quality and reputation through surveys completed by hundreds of academic philosophers. Brian Leiter began publishing this report in 1989 and has continued to update it regularly, providing detailed information about specializations, placement records, and faculty changes at philosophy programs. The report includes both overall rankings and specialized rankings in areas like ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and ancient philosophy. The methodology combines quantitative survey data with qualitative assessments of faculty research, publications, and influence in the field. Each edition contains program descriptions, advice for prospective graduate students, and commentary on trends in philosophical education. The report has become a central reference point in academic philosophy while sparking debates about the nature of rankings, the criteria for evaluating philosophical work, and the relationship between institutional prestige and scholarly merit.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Brian Leiter's overall work: Readers value Leiter's clear writing style and systematic approach to complex philosophical topics. His "Nietzsche on Morality" receives praise for making Nietzsche's ideas accessible while maintaining scholarly rigor. One reader on Amazon noted: "Leiter cuts through the mystification that often surrounds Nietzsche." Readers appreciate: - Detailed textual analysis - Connection of philosophy to practical legal issues - Clear explanations of difficult concepts Common criticisms: - Combative tone in blog posts and social media - Perceived dismissiveness toward opposing viewpoints - Technical density in legal philosophy works Ratings: - "Nietzsche on Morality" - 4.3/5 on Goodreads (127 ratings) - "Naturalizing Jurisprudence" - 4.1/5 on Amazon (23 ratings) - "Why Tolerate Religion?" - 3.8/5 on Goodreads (89 ratings) Several academic reviewers note his influence on legal philosophy while criticizing his confrontational style in academic debates. A philosophy professor on Goodreads wrote: "Brilliant analysis, but the aggressive tone detracts from the arguments."

Philosophy: A Guide Through the Subject by A.C. Grayling This systematic overview ranks and evaluates different philosophical programs and institutions while providing guidance for students seeking to study philosophy at an advanced level.

A History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell The text examines and ranks philosophical ideas and thinkers throughout history while analyzing their impact on academic philosophy departments.

The Norton Introduction to Philosophy by Gideon Rosen, Alex Byrne, Joshua Cohen, and Seana Valentine Shiffrin The book evaluates core philosophical concepts and compares different philosophical approaches while highlighting notable philosophy programs and scholars.

What Philosophy Can Do by Gary Gutting This analysis maps the current state of academic philosophy while examining the rankings and reputations of various philosophical approaches and institutions.

Philosophy: The Basics by Nigel Warburton The text provides a comparative assessment of philosophical schools of thought and their standing in contemporary academic philosophy departments.

🎓 The Philosophical Gourmet Report was first published online in 1989, making it one of the earliest academic ranking systems to exist on the internet. 📚 Despite controversy, the report became so influential that it effectively shaped graduate program admissions in philosophy departments across English-speaking countries. 🌍 The rankings focus primarily on English-language programs but have expanded to include some European institutions, reflecting philosophy's increasingly global nature. 👥 In 2014, over 500 philosophers signed an open letter boycotting the report, leading to significant changes in how it's managed and overseen. 🎯 Brian Leiter, the author, developed the report's methodology while still a graduate student at Michigan, aiming to provide transparency about which programs were strongest in specific areas of philosophy.