Feminist Philosophy - Feminist Philosophy Critics

Feminist Philosophy Critics

Critics of feminist philosophy are not generally critics of feminism as a political or cultural movement; only the philosophical positions put forth under the title "feminist philosophy".

  • Paul R. Gross
  • Susan Haack
  • Norman Levitt

A phenomenological approach to the question of gender, that treats masculinity and femininity not as pertaining ascriptively to males and females, but as alternative ways, open to both women and men, of human beings presenting themselves as who they are, is taken by the Australian philosopher, Michael Eldred. 'Feminine' being is then thought as an 'interstitial' mode of encounter between you-and-me rather than showing off who one is in self-presentation. This approach is indebted to both the German tradition of dialogical philosophy and to Heidegger's questioning return to Greek ontology in search of as yet latent, alternative historical modes of (human) being apart from the established Western modes of 'substantial' standing presence.

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Famous quotes containing the words feminist philosophy, feminist, philosophy and/or critics:

    There was no need for a feminist philosophy. My mother never stopped to think that she couldn’t do something.... You didn’t have to change the rules. Just be a strong and skilled individual, work hard, do your homework, and you can do it.
    Katherine Berman Mariano (b. 1957)

    Most young black females learn to be suspicious and critical of feminist thinking long before they have any clear understanding of its theory and politics.... Without rigorously engaging feminist thought, they insist that racial separatism works best. This attitude is dangerous. It not only erases the reality of common female experience as a basis for academic study; it also constructs a framework in which differences cannot be examined comparatively.
    bell hooks (b. c. 1955)

    One of the main things that interfere with our joy is the belief that if we try hard enough, read the right books, follow the right advice, and buy the right things, we could be perfect parents. If we are good enough as parents, our children will be perfect too.... Unfortunately, what comes from trying to live out this philosophy is not perfect children but worried parents.
    Lawrence Kutner (20th century)

    Decadence is a difficult word to use since it has become little more than a term of abuse applied by critics to anything they do not yet understand or which seems to differ from their moral concepts.
    Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961)