Michael A. Gillespie | Scholars@Duke

Michael A. Gillespie
Professor of Political Science

Professor of Political Science and Philosophy, works in political philosophy, with particular emphasis on modern continental theory and the history of political philosophy. He is the author of Hegel, Heidegger and the Ground of History, Nihilism before Nietzsche, and The Theological Origins of Modernity. He is also co-editor of Nietzsche's New Seas: Explorations in Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Politics, Ratifying the Constitution, and Homo Politicus, Homo Economicus. He has published articles on Montaigne, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Existentialism, and various topics in American political thought and public philosophy, as well as on the relation of religion and politics. He has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Templeton Foundation, the Liberty Fund, the Jack Miller Foundation, the Smith Foundation, and the Earhart Foundation. He is the Director of the Duke Program in American Values and Institutions, the AB Duke Scholars Program, the Duke in Oxford Program, and the Visions of Freedom Focus Program.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor of Political Science, Political Science, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1995
Professor of Philosophy, Philosophy, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2017
Bass Fellow, Political Science, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2008

Contact Information

204G Gross Hall, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
Box 90204, Durham, NC 27708-0204
mgillesp@duke.edu (919) 660-4308
CV
My Twitter address

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., University of Chicago 1981
Duke Appointment History
- Acting Chair, Department of Political Science, Political Science, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2006 - 2007
- Professor of Philosophy, Philosophy, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1998 - 2001
- Associate Professor with Tenure, Political Science, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1991 - 1995
- Assistant Professor, Political Science, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1983 - 1990
Recognition
In the News
- DEC 14, 2015 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  
  Op-ed: Here's the question journalists should ask of candidates
- DEC 14, 2015 The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
  
  What Journalists Should Ask of Candidates
- SEP 26, 2014 WUNC
  
  How to crowdsource a constitution
- AUG 21, 2013
  
  Gillespie New A.B. Duke Faculty Director
Awards & Honors
- Phi Beta Kappa-Honorary. Unknown. May 2010
- Fellow. National Humanities Center. 2004
Expertise
Subject Headings
- Philosophy
Global Scholarship
- Expertise
  - France (Country)
  - Germany (Country)
Research
Selected Grants
- A Constitution Day Celebration at Duke University awarded by Jack Miller Center 2015 - 2016
- The Duke Program in American Values and Institutions awarded by National Endowment for the Humanities 2004 - 2010
- (93-0230) NEH Summer Institute (1994): Plato and the Polis awarded by National Endowment for the Humanities 1993 - 1994
- (86-0127) Ratifying the Constitution: Ideas and Interests in the Several American States awarded by National Endowment for the Humanities 1986 - 1988
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Books
  - Gillespie, MA. The Theological Origins of Modernity, Turkish edition. 2013.
  - Gillespie, MA. The Theological Origins of Modernity, Chinese edition with a new Preface. Human Science adn Technology Press, 2012.
  - Homo Politicus, Homo Economicus. Edited by MA Gillespie and G Brennan. 2008. (Edited Book)
  - Homo Politicus, Homo Economicus. Edited by MA Gillespie and G Brennan. 2008. (Edited Book)
  - Gillespie, MA. The Theological Origins of Modernity. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2008. (Monograph)
  - Gillespie, MA. Nihilism Before Nietzsche. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995.
  - Ratifying the Constitution. Edited by M Gillespie and M Lienesch. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1989. (Edited Book)
  - Nietzsche’s New Seas: Exploration in Philosophy, Aesthetics and Politics. Edited by M Gillespie and TB Strong. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1988. (Edited Book)
  - Gillespie, MA. Hegel, Heidegger, and Ground of History. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1984.
- Book Sections
  - Gillespie, MA. "Machiavelli’s Modernity and the Christian Tradition." In The Modern Turn. Catholic University Press, 2014.
  - Gillespie, MA, and Perkins, L. "The Dangerous Divide : Between Weak Thought and Practical Politics,"." In On Vattimo and Zabala’s Hermeneutic Communism On Vattimo and Zabala’s Hermeneutic Communism, edited by S Mazzini. Continuum Press, 2013.
  - Gillespie, MA. "On Debt." Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2013. (Essay)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Doing Nothing or Nothing Doing." In Nihilism and Contemporary Politics. Van Leer Institute, 2013.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Radical Philosophy and Political Theology." In Religion and Modern European Thought, edited by G Ward, G Pattison, and N Adams. Oxford University Press, 2013.
  - Gillespie, MA, and Calanan, K. "Toward Noon: Nietzsche’s Genealogy of Morals." In A Companion to Friedrich Nietzsche, edited by P Bishop. Camden House, 2012.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Radical Hopes: Apocalyptic Longings in Nineteenth Century Philosophy." In The Apocalyptic Complex – Origins, Histories, Permanence, edited by N Al-Bagdadi, M Riedl, and D Marno. CEU Press, 2012.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Martin Heidegger." In The Cambridge Dictionary of Political Thought. Cambridge University Press, 2012.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Dostoevsky and Nietzsche: Murder, Madness, and Suicide. Nihilism and the Doctrine of the Eternal Recurrence." In Nietzsche and Dostoevsky, edited by J Metzger. Continuum Press, 2012.
  - Gillespie, M. "Nihilism in the nineteenth century: From absolute subjectivit y to superhumanity." In The Edinburgh Critical History of Nineteenth-Century Philosophy, 278-293. June 6, 2011.
  - Gillespie, MA. "The Tragedy of the Goods and the Pursuit of Happiness." In In Search of Goodness, edited by RW Grant. University of Chicago Press, April 15, 2011.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Nihilism." In , Edinburgh Critical History of Philosophy. : Edinburgh University Press, 2011.
  - Gillespie, MA, and Callanan, KF. "On the genealogy of morals." In A Companion to Friedrich Nietzsche: Life and Works, 255-278. January 1, 2010.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Hegel." In The International Encyclopedia of Political Science, edited by GKE al. 2009.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Toward a New Aristocracy: Nietzsche Contra Plato on the Role a Warrior Elite." In Nietzsche, Nihilism and the Philosophy of the Future, edited by J Metzger. London & New York: Continuum, 2009. (Essay)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Afterword." In Homo Politicus, Homo Economicus. 2008. (Afterword)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Players and Spectators: Sports and Ethical Training in the American University." In Debating Moral Education, edited by E Kiss and P Euben. Duke University Press, 2008.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Nietzsche." In The International Encyclopedia of Political Science, edited by GKE al. CQ Press, 2008.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Plato and Nietzsche on Warriors." In Nietzche’s Nihilistic Anti-egalitarianism, edited by J Metzger. Continuum, 2008.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Sovereign Selves and Sovereign States: Political Theory for a New Millenium." In Freedom and the Human PErson, edited by R Velkley. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University Press, 2007.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Distorting Mirrors: Reflecting on Europe and America." In Europe and America in Translation, edited by B Waldschmidt-Nelson, M Hunemorder, and M Zwingenberger. Winter Verlag, 2006.
  - Gillespie, MA. "The Search for Immediacy and the Problem of the Political in Existentialism and Phenomenology." In The Blackwell Companion to Phenomenology, edited by H Dreyfus and M Wrathall. Oxford: Blackwell, 2006.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Where Did All the Evils Go." In Moral Judgment and the Problem of Evil, edited by R Grant. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Forward." In The Mask of Enlightenment: Nietzsche’s Zarathustra (Stanley Rosen). New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005. (Foreword)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Nietzsche, Friedrich." In The Encyclopedia of Protestantism, edited by H Hillerbrand. New York: Routledge, 2003.
  - Gillespie, MA. "American Public Philosophy After the Cold War." In Public Philosophy and Political Science: Crisis and Reflection. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2002.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Liberal Education and the Idea of the West." In The West and the Liberal Arts, edited by R Hancock. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 1999.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Descartes and the Question of Toleration." In Early Modern Skepticism and the Origins of Toleration, edited by A Levine. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 1999.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Political Parties and the American Founding." In American Political Parties and Constitutional Politics, edited by P Shramm and B Wilson, 17-43. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 1993.
  - Gillespie, MA. "George Grant and the Tradition of Political Philosophy." In By Loving our Own: George Grant and the Legacy of the Lament for a Nation. Ottawa: Carleton University Press, 1990.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Masschusetts: Creating Consensus." In Ratifying the Constitution, edited by MA Gillespie and M Lienesch. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1989.
  - Gillespie, MA, and Lienesch, M. "Religion and the Resurgence of Conservatism." In The Resurgence of Conservatism in Anglo-American Democracies, edited by B Cooper, W Mishler, and A Kornberg. Durham: Duke University Press, 1988.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Death and Desire: War and Bourgoisification in the Thought of Hegel." In Understanding the Political Spirit, edited by C Zuckert. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1988.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Nietzsche’s Musical Politics." In Nietzsche’s New Seas, edited by MA Gillespie and TB Strong. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1988.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Martin Heidegger." In The History of Political Philosophy, edited by L Strauss and J Cropsey. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Beyond Secularism: The Inevitable Entanglement of Religion and Political Life (In preparation)." Boston University. (Essay)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Hermeneutic Communism (In preparation)." edited by S Mazzini. New York: Continuum Press. (Essay)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Nietzsche's Final Teaching (In preparation)." University of Chicago Press. (Essay)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Socinianism and the Political Theology of Liberalism (In preparation)." In Oxford Handbook of Political Theology, edited by M Kessler and S Casey. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (Essay)
- Digital Publications
  - Gillespie, MA. "Degradation." (January 14, 2014).
  - Gillespie, MA. "The Anti-Trinitarian Origins of Liberalism." (2014).
  - Gillespie, MA. "Science and the Humanities." (2010). Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "Response to Robert Pippin." (2010). Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "“Backgammon Anyone?” A response to Alexander Rosenberg’s “The Disenchanted Naturalist’s Guide to Reality." (2009). Link to Item
  - Gillepsie, MA. "Teaching Human Rights (In preparation)."
- Journal Articles
  - Gillespie, MA. "In the Shadow of Modernity." Orientale Lumen IV (2014). (Academic Article)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Question for Fuller." First Things , no. April (2014).
  - Gillespie, MA. "Jean Elshtain: In Memorium." Review of Politics (2013). (Essay)
  - Gillespie, MA, and Harpham, JS. "Sherlock Holmes, Crime, And The Anxieties Of Globalization." Critical Review 23, no. 4 (December 1, 2011): 449-474. Full Text
  - Gillespie, MA. "'March Madness'." The Point (2011).
  - Gillespie, MA. "Response to my Critics." Review of Politics (October 2010). (Academic Article)
  - Gillespie, MA, and Perkins, L. "Political Anti-Theology: Mark Lilla’s The Stillborn God." Critical Review (March 2010). (Academic Article)
  - Gillespie, MA, and Perkins, L. "POLITICAL ANTI-THEOLOGY." CRITICAL REVIEW 22, no. 1 (2010): 65-84. Full Text Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "Afterword." PUBLIC CHOICE 137, no. 3-4 (December 2008): 523-524. Full Text Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "Public Choice: Afterword." Public Choice 137, no. 3-4 (December 1, 2008): 523-524. Full Text
  - Gillespie, MA. "'Slouching Toward Bethlehem to Be Born', On the Nature and Meaning of Nietzsche's Superman." Journal of Nietzsche Studies 30 (2005): 50-70. (Academic Article)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Philosophy and Rhetoric in Kant's Third Antinomy." Political Science Reviewer 30 (2001): 7-33. (Academic Article)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Martin Heidegger's Aristotelian National Socialism." POLITICAL THEORY 28, no. 2 (April 2000): 140-166. Full Text Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "Nietzsche and the Anthroplogy of Nihilism." Nietzsche Studien 28 (1999): 141-155. (Academic Article)
  - Gillespie, MA. "The theological origins of modernity." CRITICAL REVIEW 13, no. 1-2 (1999): 1-30. Full Text Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "Nietzsche and the Premodernist Critique of Postmodernity." Critical Review 2, no. 2 (October 1997): 537-554. (Academic Article)
  - Gillespie, MA. "The New Hegel." Political Theory 25, no. 4 (August 1997): 584-597. (Academic Article)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Hegel's phenomenology: The sociality of reason - Pinkard,T." POLITICAL THEORY 25, no. 4 (August 1997): 584-597. Full Text Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "G.W.F. Hegel: Modernity and politics - Dallmayr,FR." POLITICAL THEORY 25, no. 4 (August 1997): 584-597. Full Text Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "Hegel's social philosophy: The project of reconciliation - Hardimon,MO." POLITICAL THEORY 25, no. 4 (August 1997): 584-597. Full Text Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "Nietzsche and the premodernist critique of postmodernity." CRITICAL REVIEW 11, no. 4 (1997): 537-554. Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "Beyond East and West: A Reply to Isaac." Political Theory 23, no. 4 (November 1995): 670-674. (Academic Article)
  - GILLESPIE, MA. "POLITICAL-PHILOSOPHY .1. RIGHTS - THE NEW QUARREL BETWEEN THE ANCIENTS AND THE MODERNS - FERRY,L." POLITICAL THEORY 20, no. 1 (February 1992): 173-176. Full Text Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "Liberal education and liberal democracy." Academic Questions 3, no. 4 (September 1, 1990): 65-68. Full Text
  - Gillespie, MA. "Liberal Democracy and Liberal Education." Academic Question 3, no. 4 (1990): 65-68. (Academic Article)
  - GILLESPIE, MA. "TEMPORALITY AND HISTORY IN THE THOUGHT OF HEIDEGGER,MARTIN." REVUE INTERNATIONALE DE PHILOSOPHIE 43, no. 168 (1989): 33-51. Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "History and Temporality in the Thought of Heidegger." Revue Internationale de Phiosophie 43 (1989): 33-51. (Academic Article)
  - GILLESPIE, MA. "NIETZSCHE - HEIDEGGER,M." POLITICAL THEORY 15, no. 3 (August 1987): 424-435. Full Text Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA. "Heidegger's Nietzsche." Political Theory 15, no. 3 (August 1987): 424-435. (Academic Article)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Montaigne's Humanistic Liberalism." Journal of Politics 47, no. 1 (February 1985): 40-59. (Academic Article)
  - GILLESPIE, MA. "MORAL FOUNDATION OF THE STATE IN HEGEL PHILOSOPHY OF RIGHT - MITIAS,MH." REVIEW OF POLITICS 47, no. 3 (1985): 468-469. Full Text Link to Item
  - GILLESPIE, MA. "MONTAIGNE HUMANISTIC LIBERALISM." JOURNAL OF POLITICS 47, no. 1 (1985): 140-159. Full Text Link to Item
  - GILLESPIE, MA. "HEIDEGGER 'BEING AND TIME' AND THE POSSIBILITY OF POLITICAL-PHILOSOPHY - BLITZ,M." INTERPRETATION-A JOURNAL OF POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY 11, no. 3 (1983): 399-400. Link to Item
  - Gillespie, MA, and Harpham, J. "Life and Thought: The Structure of Montaigne's Essays and the Idea of the Self (In preparation)."
  - Gillespie, MA. "The Problems of Modernity and the Possibilities of Human Thriving (In preparation)." Perspectives Libres 12, no. Sept.
  - Gillespie, MA. "Nihilism After Nietzsche (In preparation)." Bollettino Filosofico , no. Nihilism and Modernity. Rethinking Modern Tragicalness.
- Other Articles
  - Gillespie, MA. "Too Many Wins for North Carolina to Reject Medicaid Expansion." Raleigh News and Observer, February 19, 2013. (2013). (Editorial Comment)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Just One of Those We Lost." Raleigh News and Observer (September 11, 2011). (Editorial Comment)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Budget Pain Must Fall on All." Raleigh News and Observer, op ed (2011). (Editorial Comment)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Winners All in NCAA Basketball Championship Game." The Herald Sun , no. April (2010). (Editorial Comment)
  - Gillespie, MA. "A Place to Learn and Reflect: Course to Explore Ideals of Ethical Life." Greensboro News-Record , no. June 14 (2009). (Editorial Comment)
  - Gillespie, MA. "On Gold Medals and Team Sports." The Durham Herald Sun , no. Aug 29 (2008). (Editorial Comment)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Column Was Malicious Nonsense." Durham Herald Sun , no. Feb 19 (2006). (Editorial Comment)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Raise the Cigarette Tax." Durham Herald Sun , no. June 8 (2002). (Editorial Comment)
  - Gillespie, MA. "County Failing to Control Vicious Packs of Dogs." Durham Herald Sun , no. June 6 (2001). (Editorial Comment)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Scholarly Issues Guided Lomparis Decision." Durham Herald Sun , no. Feb 22 (1994). (Editorial Comment)
  - Gillespie, MA. "Do Subsidies Keep Health Plan Afloat?." Duke Dialogue , no. Dec 2 (1994). (Editorial Comment)
Teaching & Mentoring
Recent Courses
Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
Presentations & Appearances
Service to the Profession

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

In the News

Awards & Honors

Subject Headings

Global Scholarship

Expertise

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Books

Book Sections

Digital Publications

Journal Articles

Other Articles

Recent Courses

Presentations & Appearances

Service to the Profession