Robert Rubin: Philosophy Prepared Me for a Career in Finance and Government

Doug Chayka

By Robert E. Rubin and David Miliband

In this op-ed, Robert Rubin, former U.S. Treasury Secretary, credits his success in finance and government to an unexpected source: his philosophy education at Harvard. In a reflection on his undergraduate years, Rubin describes how Professor Raphael Demos's teachings about probability and uncertainty, combined with discussions about existentialism in the coffeehouses of Cambridge, provided him an intellectual framework that would guide his decision-making throughout his career. This foundation proved particularly valuable during his tenure at Goldman Sachs and later in the Clinton administration, where he faced complex challenges ranging from severe market downturns to government shutdowns.

Rubin describes how he applied these philosophical principles to real-world situations. The combination of Professor Demos's emphasis on probabilistic thinking and the existentialist perspective he developed helped him maintain calm during periods of intense pressure, whether managing severe losses at Goldman Sachs or navigating the contentious 1995 budget battle in the U.S. government. Through these experiences, Rubin demonstrates how philosophical thinking can serve as a practical foundation for leadership in both the private and public sectors.