Feminist Philosophy

Feminist philosophy refers to philosophy approached from a feminist perspective. Feminist philosophy involves both attempts to use the methods of philosophy to further the cause of the feminist movements, and attempts to criticise or re-evaluate the ideas of traditional philosophy from within a feminist framework.

There is no one school of feminist philosophy: feminist philosophers, as philosophers, are found in both the analytic and Continental traditions, and the myriad different viewpoints taken on philosophical issues within those traditions; and feminist philosophers, as feminists, are found belonging to the many different varieties of feminism.

Feminism has provided a new perspective to many traditional problems of philosophy. For example, feminist epistemologists have challenged traditional ideas of how we know things and of rationality, by arguing that these traditional philosophical ideas are based on male assumptions and perspectives and ignore women's voices. Some feminists have also particularly attacked the aggressive argumentative style of traditional philosophy as being male-focused and patriarchal in nature. However, other feminists have defended the traditional philosophical method, arguing that the aggressiveness of traditional philosophy can be used to feminist ends. Some feminists have criticised other feminists for attacking traditional philosophy as aggressive, on the grounds that aggression is a valid female trait, and that feminists should not seek to repeat traditional sex roles which say women can't be aggressive (much less intellectually so).

Read more about Feminist Philosophy:  Feminist Philosophers, Feminist Philosophy Critics

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

    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)

    Fat is a social disease, and fat is a feminist issue.
    Susie Orbach (b. 1946)

    Mr. Alcott seems to have sat down for the winter. He has got Plato and other books to read. He is as large-featured and hospitable to traveling thoughts and thinkers as ever; but with the same Connecticut philosophy as ever, mingled with what is better. If he would only stand upright and toe the line!—though he were to put off several degrees of largeness, and put on a considerable degree of littleness. After all, I think we must call him particularly your man.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)