June 2–5, 2026
at the University of San Diego

The 2026 Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law (PPEL) Undergraduate Summer School, hosted June 2–5 at the University of San Diego, welcomed 50 undergraduate students for an intensive interdisciplinary program exploring major questions at the intersection of philosophy, politics, economics, and law. Organized by Mary Rigdon, Director of the Freedom Center, in conjunction with support and partnership from the John Templeton Foundation, the University of San Diego Center for Ethics, Economics, and Public Policy, the Institute for Humane Studies, Chapman University’s Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy, and the University of Arizona.

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The most important questions rarely belong to a single discipline. The PPEL Summer School invites students to cross intellectual boundaries, challenge their assumptions, and discover how serious inquiry can turn uncertainty into insight—and insight into meaningful action.
Dr. Mary L. RigdonFreedom Center Director, Associate Professor of Political Economy and Moral Science, & PPEL Summer School Director

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The PPEL Summer School is an outstanding opportunity for students to explore big questions about society, institutions, and human flourishing alongside talented peers and leading scholars. I was impressed by the students' intellectual curiosity, engagement, and thoughtful contributions. The experience provides an excellent foundation for future academic and professional success.
Dr. David SkarbekMichael Targoff Professor of Political Economy; Director, Center for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Brown University

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We had an exceptional group of students this summer! I had so much fun working with them as they wrestled with the most pressing issues facing scholarship and society—including AI, social media, and healthcare reform
Dr. Scott CasletonAssistant Professor of Political Economy and Moral Science, Core Faculty Member at the Center for the Philosophy of Freedom, Big Q Project Lead

The PPEL Summer School Program is made possible, in part, through the generous support of the John Templeton Foundation (Grant #62965).

Program Speakers & Highlights

Topics Addressed

The social order of the underworld and the institutions that govern criminal organizations
Paternalism, democratic representation, and the role of social preferences
Meaningful economics, trust, risk, institutions, and the future of meaningful work
Originalism, linguistic content, and the relationship between law and political philosophy
Academic freedom, interdisciplinary inquiry, and pathways to academic careers

Students Explored

How philosophical, political, economic, and legal perspectives can be used together to examine complex problems
How institutions shape behavior, incentives, trust, and social outcomes
How ideas about freedom, representation, and justice influence public life
How to develop, refine, and present an original Big Question Project
Graduate study, academic careers, and opportunities for continued interdisciplinary research

Program Highlights

Free Registration, Room, Board, and Meals: Programming, housing, and meals were provided to participating students.
Collaborative Learning Environment: Students worked closely with faculty and peers through lectures, panel discussions, networking, and team-based project development.
Etiquette Training: Presented by Candace Smith, Etiquette for the Business of Life
Multi-Disciplinary Approach: Faculty and partners represented:
- University of Arizona – Center for the Philosophy of Freedom and Department of Political Economy and Moral Science
- University of San Diego – Center for Ethics, Economics, and Public Policy
- Chapman University – Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy
- Institute for Humane Studies

Featured Sessions

Plenary Lecture

David Skarbek (Brown University) – “The Social Order of the Underworld”

Faculty Sessions

Steve Wall (University of Arizona) – “Revisiting Paternalism”
Suzi Dovi (University of Arizona) – “Schadenfreude Representation”
Bart Wilson (Chapman University) – “Meaningful Economics”
Nigel Ashford (Institute for Humane Studies) – “Scaling the Ivory Tower: The Pursuit of an Academic Career”
Maria Porter (University of Arizona) – “Trust, Risk and Institutions”
Thony Gillies (University of Arizona) – “Originalism and Linguistic Content”
Scott Casleton, Hrishikesh Joshi, Kobi Finestone, and Matt Zwolinski – Faculty Q&A panel
Steve Wall, Hrishikesh Joshi, and Matt Zwolinski – Panel discussion on academic freedom

Student Engagement

Big Question Project Presentations

Throughout the week, students worked in teams to develop a Big Question Project. Faculty mentors guided the groups as they refined their questions, explored competing perspectives, and prepared final presentations. The program concluded on June 5 with two rounds of student presentations, feedback, and recognition of the winning teams.

Team Names & Project Titles

1st Place – Beyond the Scroll – “Is doomscrolling a serious harm to society, and does it justify government intervention?”
2nd Place – The Opposites – “What responsibilities do individuals have in deciding how to seek medical care?”
3rd Place – Kappa “Data” Pi – “When does data tracking become a personal violation?”
Jam² – “To what extent, and through what mechanisms, has profit-seeking eroded the trust that citizens have in institutions?”
Honda Civic – “What should qualify someone to vote?”
Valkyrie – “Does the state have a responsibility to restore formerly incarcerated people’s liberties upon their reintegration into society?”
Anti-Hate Party – “How has the commodification of hate impacted our political and media environments?”
19th Amendment – “What conditions are needed to establish a resilient democracy that withstands corruption?”
Blueberry – “What is the nature and future of work?”