I am an Associate Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University.  Before coming to BYU, I did graduate work in Princeton University's Program in Political Philosophy, and in Philosophy at Harvard University.  Before that, I was an undergraduate at Arizona State University.  

During the 2022-2023 academic year, I was a Visiting Associate Professor at the Georgetown Institute for the Study of Markets and Ethics.

I write about ethics and political philosophy, and sometimes philosophy of religion.  Most of my work relates in some way to the value of autonomy.  My research is oriented around a few questions:

• • What are individuals morally required to do, and what explains these requirements?

  • What political rights do persons have, and are some rights more important than others? 

  • Do any political institutions or agents enjoy special normative powers or privileges that ordinary persons lack?

  • What is the relationship between moral reasons and religious commitments?

Contact Information:

• rwdavis at byu dot edu 

• 801.422.9080

• 745 Kimball Tower/PO Box 25545, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602