b. 1942
Margaret Gilbert is a contemporary analytic philosopher known for pioneering work on social ontology, joint commitment, and the philosophy of collective action. She has developed influential accounts of how groups form plural subjects through mutual commitments, reshaping debates in social philosophy, political obligation, and group agency.
Developed the plural subject theory of social groups
Formulated the concept of joint commitment as foundational to collective action
Authored 'On Social Facts' (1989), a landmark in social ontology
Advanced a non-contractualist account of political obligation
Extended analytic methods to collective belief, promise, and agreement