Anthony Gottlieb

Anthony Gottlieb is a British writer and historian of ideas, recognized for his significant contributions to the history of philosophy through his major works. He previously served as Executive Editor of The Economist, a role he held for nearly a decade, and also edited "Economist.com." His journalistic career began unexpectedly, as he sought alternatives to academic philosophy.

Gottlieb's academic background includes education at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and University College London. He has held various academic and research positions, including a Two-Year Fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford, visiting fellowships at Harvard University, and visiting scholar positions at New York University. He has also taught at the CUNY Graduate Center and the New School, and is a fellow at the New York Institute for the Humanities.

Gottlieb is widely known for his extensive work on the history of Western philosophy. His two major books, 'The Dream of Reason' and 'The Dream of Enlightenment,' trace the development of philosophical thought from ancient Greece through the Renaissance and into the rise of modern philosophy, respectively. He is currently engaged in writing a third volume that will extend this history to contemporary thought, covering figures like Kant and subsequent philosophical schools. His writings often appear in prominent publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, where he discusses a broad range of topics from philosophical concepts to the role of specific thinkers and historical periods.

Before dedicating himself primarily to writing on the history of philosophy, Gottlieb had a substantial career in journalism. He was a long-standing member of the editorial staff at The Economist, serving from 1984 to 2006. During his tenure, he held several key positions, including Britain Correspondent, Science and Technology Editor, and Surveys Editor. From 1997 to 2006, he took on the significant role of Executive Editor and oversaw "Economist.com." He has characterized his entry into journalism as an accidental pursuit, driven by a desire to find diversions from his academic interests in philosophy.

“[b]y accident”

“was looking for distractions from academic philosophy.”