- Department
- Department of Philosophy
- Phone
- +1 (210) 9998351
- Email Address
- rsadovsk@trinity.edu
- Room
- 116
My research investigates the moral reasons that we have to conform with or to violate informal social norms. I focus particularly on a category of norms that I call political etiquette, conformity with which expresses respect for an entire social group rather than for particular individuals. I am also interested in developmental approaches to ethics, which consider the way that individuals’ moral and political sensibilities develop over time. I teach courses in social and political philosophy, philosophy of law, and applied ethics.
Because I have two little kids, my main hobby is facilitating whatever they’re most excited about at any given moment. But I also love camping and hiking and various fiber arts.
Education
- Ph.D. from Harvard University
- J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School
- B.A. with highest honors from Swarthmore College
Selected Publications
- Political Etiquette. Philosophical Studies (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-022-01892-5; open access link: https://rdcu.be/c0Wzo.
- Adoption and the Right to Culture. Forthcoming in Res Publica (2025).
- Scorekeeping in an Ethics Game: How Classroom Simulation Games Can Spur Ethical Inquiry. Forthcoming in AAPT Studies in Pedagogy (2025).
- Designing the Grade as a Target to Strive For. Blog of the APA. American Philosophical Association (2024). https://blog.apaonline.org/2024/10/30/designing-the-grade-as-a-target-to-strive-for/
Subjects Taught
- Social and Political Philosophy
- Environmental Ethics
- Philosophy of Race
- Philosophy of Law
- FYE: Childhood (course coordinator)
Community Service & Involvement
At Trinity, I currently serve as a Faculty Senator, a member of the Task Force on Civil Discourse and Academic Freedom, a faculty advisor to the Academic Honor Council, and the chair of the Senate’s Academic Honor Council Reform Committee.
Outside of Trinity, I seek out opportunities to bring philosophy to the wider community. Recently, I co-facilitated a ten-week philosophy discussion group for Jewish undergraduates across five San Antonio campuses as well as a six-week Philosophy Club for elementary school students at SAISD’s Advanced Learning Academy.
Teaching and Expertise
- Moral Philosophy
- Social Philosophy
- Political Philosophy
Honors & Awards
- Collaborative on Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship, 2025–2026
- Tom & Mary Turner Early Career Faculty Fellowship, 2022–2024
- Trinity’s QEP Course Revision Grant for Environmental Ethics, 2021
- Fulbright Fellowship, 2008–2009
- Foreign Law Clerk for the Israeli Supreme Court, 2013
- Articles Editor for the Harvard Law Review, 2012–2014