b. 1941
Robert Audi (born 1941) is an American philosopher at the University of Notre Dame, recognized for his foundationalist epistemology, moral intuitionism, and philosophy of religion. He has made substantial contributions to the theory of rational action, the nature of belief and justification, and the relationship between religious commitment and liberal democratic citizenship. His work bridges analytic epistemology and normative ethics through a unified theory of practical reason.
Developed a refined foundationalist account of epistemic justification and the architecture of reasons
Revived Ross-style moral intuitionism, arguing for a pluralist theory of prima facie duties in 'The Good in the Right' (2004)
Formulated the principle of secular rationale, requiring public justification of law on non-religious grounds
Advanced a detailed theory of testimony and transmission of justification across belief chains
Authored the widely-used textbook 'Epistemology: A Contemporary Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge'