Catherine Elgin

Catherine Z. Elgin (born 1948) is an American philosopher recognized for her work in epistemology, philosophy of art, and philosophy of science. She currently holds a position as a professor of philosophy of education at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. Elgin earned her Ph.D. from Brandeis University, where she was a student of Nelson Goodman. Throughout her career, she has held various academic positions at prestigious institutions such as Michigan State University, Vassar College, Princeton University, and MIT. Her philosophical contributions often address questions concerning cognitive value, advocating for the pursuit of understanding as being of greater importance than the mere acquisition of knowledge. In her book 'Considered Judgment,' Elgin proposes a reconception of rational acceptability based on reflective equilibrium. In 2023, she was honored by election as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, a testament to her significant impact on philosophical discourse.