UNC/Duke Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program Receives $3.75m Donation


The UNCDuke Philosophy Politics, and Economics (PPE) Program has received a $3.75 million donation from the John William Pope Foundation (JWPF).

The PPE program, according to its UNC site, “trains students to look beyond the borders of academic disciplines by offering them an integrated study of philosophy, politics, and economics. We aim to build on the tradition of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, David Hume, Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Thomas Malthus, John Stuart Mill, and Karl Marx, who saw questions of economics, sociology, political science, and moral philosophy as inextricably intertwined.”

The donation, part of a $10 million gift from JWPF, will fund a speaker series, two new faculty positions, and two visiting assistant professorships for the PPE program, according to The News & Observer. The JWPF had already provided $775,000 of support to the program since its creation in 2005.

The JWPF, according to its website,  “makes grants to support public policy groups, educational institutions, humanitarian efforts, and the arts. The Foundation’s mission is to ensure future generations have the same opportunities as John William Pope: the freedom to live, work, pursue individual interests, sustain family, and prosper.” It was founded in 1986 and,, according to The News & Observer, “funds public policy groups dedicated to free-market and conservative values, including the John Locke Foundation, Civitas Institute, the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, N.C. Family Policy Council, Jesse Helms Center Foundation and N.C. Free Enterprise Foundation.”

Further information here.

Mark Wagner, “Liberty” (detail)

Disputed Moral Issues - Mark Timmons - Oxford University Press
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Jon
Jon
5 years ago

Some of the art you use is really amazing. Both on its own and as connected to the post.

Peter
Peter
Reply to  Justin Weinberg
5 years ago

If you don’t mind me asking, how do you find the art for these posts, Justin? Or do you just antecedently know a lot about art?

I agree that the art choice is excellent; and I’m trying to get into art myself.

A Commenter
A Commenter
5 years ago

Are there any ideological strings attached to this donation?

Marc Lange
Marc Lange
5 years ago

As Chair of the UNC-Chapel Hill Philosophy Department, I am happy to make clear that there are no ideological strings whatsoever — implicit or explicit — attached to this donation.

A Commenter
A Commenter
Reply to  Marc Lange
5 years ago

That’s great to hear — thanks! And congratulations on the donation!