Center for the Philosophy of Freedom

Our Mission

We believe freedom is foundational to a healthy democracy and a vibrant university community, which are enriched when we learn about and appreciate diverse perspectives.

A University Center in the Office for Research, Innovation & Impact, the Freedom Center provides research, teaching, and programming that is grounded in individual freedom and honors people’s right to constructively disagree.

Our faculty draw from philosophy, politics, economics, law, and ethics to enhance our understanding of the elements that shape individual and societal prosperity. Center scholars also include post-doctoral fellows, Ph.D. students in philosophy, and visiting and research fellows we host from universities worldwide.

The Center’s impact comes through research, publications, graduate education, academic programs, and major community events. In all we do, we are committed to integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives, training critical thinkers and fostering constructive public debate.

Director: Mary L. Rigdon
Associate Director: Saura Masconale 

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Academic Journals

Top 5

Political Philosophy Program

Master of Legal Studies in Law & Economics

Freedom Center Associate Director & Assistant Professor Saura Masconale, in partnership with the UArizona James E. Rogers College of Law, created the Master of Legal Studies in Law & Economics (MLS, L&E) program. This program, centered on public policy, offers students comprehensive knowledge in law, regulation, economic theory, and empirical methods, providing them with the essential foundational skills needed for a successful career in the public policy sector. It is the first of its kind in the country to offer a dedicated track for legislators.

Who it’s for:

  • Undergraduate students who want to pursue a postgraduate degree
  • High school government, economics, and social studies teachers
  • Elected officials and public sector professionals
  • Private sector professionals who engage with the government, legislative, or regulatory process

Concentration courses:

  • Law & Economics
  • Political Economy, Law, and Experimentation
  • Law, Economics, and Civil Society,
  • Ethics and Economics of Environmental Policy
  • The Ethical Entrepreneur.

Scholarships for this program are available for qualified applicants.

Donate Today

Civil discourse powers progress and learning. Tax-deductible contributions fund scholarships, academic research, educational programs, public events that highlight the importance of freedom to an inclusive society where diversity and differing viewpoints are acknowledged and respected.

Upcoming Events

27
MAR
Mary L. Rigdon to Speak with the Arizona Department of Economic Security Team
Freedom Center Director and Associate Professor of Political Economy and Moral Science featured in Women's History Month speakers series
Freedom Center Talks

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APR
University of Arizona Center for the Philosophy of Freedom Debate Series – ESG Now and in the Future: Is There Common Ground?
Former White House press secretaries Ari Fleischer and Robert Gibbs will moderate this debate featuring Andrew Behar, CEO of the shareholder advocacy and engagement non-profit As You Sow; Kevin Hassett, 29th Chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers; and Kimberly Yee, State Treasurer of Arizona. UArizona President Robert C. Robbins will attend and offer welcoming remarks highlighting the university’s commitment to viewpoint diversity and constructive debate.

4
APR
Jessica Flanigan, University of Richmond, Associate Professor of Leadership Studies and Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law, Richard L. Morrill Chair in Ethics & Democratic Values
FC Presents: Justice, Law, and Capitalism Talk Series – Exploring Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) from a Legal, Economic, and Philosophical Perspective
Freedom Center Talks

10
APR
Mary L. Rigdon to Speak at UArizona Commission on the Status of Women’s “A Woman’s Worth-Advancing & Empowering” Event
Freedom Center Director and Associate Professor of Political Economy and Moral Science to Present Her Latest Research on Gender Competitiveness

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.