Biography

John Paul Rollert's teaching and research focus on the intellectual history of capitalism, the ethics of leadership, and the application of empathy to law, business, and politics. He is also interested in the political economy and moral philosophy of Adam Smith.

Rollert's academic writing has been published by Critical Inquiry, Raritan, The Journal of Law, Culture and the Humanities, Business and Society Review, Modernism/modernity, SocietyThe Yale Law Journal, and the Business and Professional Ethics Journal. In addition to his academic work, Rollert frequently writes on business, law, and politics for a variety of popular publications. He writes the In-House Ethicist for the Chicago Booth Review, and his work has been featured in The New Republic, Harper's, Fortune, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, Slate, The Paris Review, and The New York Times. For writing featured in The Atlantic, he was recognized by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers in its 2017 “Best in Business” Competition.

A graduate of Harvard College, Rollert earned his JD from Yale Law School and a PhD from The John U. Nef Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago. Since 2005, he has taught courses at Harvard in ethics, politics, and leadership.

Research Interests

Adam Smith; the ethics of empathy; the moral psychology of leadership; the history of philanthropy; business ethics; Supreme Court jurisprudence; modern American politics.

Academic Areas

  • Behavioral Science
  • Strategy and Leadership

Selected Publications

2024 - 2025 Course Schedule

Number Course Title Quarter
38830 Ethics in the Workplace 2025 (Spring)
38115 Ethics of Business 2025 (Winter)