Feminism and Philosophy: Perspectives on Difference and Equality

European Journal of Women's Studies, 2005

2018

Dr. Makus's carefully researched paper recognizes significant tensions among feminist accounts of theory and practice, in particular problems in postmodern feminist critiques of reason. Her formulation of the "masculinist" bias of reason, of which formal logic has been seen as the highest expression, draws upon existing critiques skillfully drawn by many philosophers. The abstraction, god's eye objectivity, neutrality, and positivistic character of a disembodied, nonnatural faculty of reason, are aptly summarized in her paper, and carry the weight of much feminist critique. Ingrid outlines three forms of feminism. The first, feminism of sameness-often called feminism of equality-has as its primary goal a recognition that males and females do not differ in capacity, character, or ability; women should be incorporated into the category of humanity without remainder. The second-feminism of difference-a view which provides the means whereby the aspects of humanity which have been devalued since classical times, and which have symbolically appeared in multiple exclusions of women, are given positive status; for example, bodiliness, particularity, emotions, nature. The difference in question is difference from men, difference from the homogeneity of humanity, which is regarded as "male". Ingrid identifies a third form, postmodern feminism-as the most comprehensive critique of western reason. The elements which overlap in postmodernist critiques are "deconstruction", along with a repudiation of (1) the stable coherent natural self (2) the ideals of a privileged white male elite and (3) the power exerted over others by this knower-this last as crucial to the critique of reason. She notices that postmodern feminists are self-critical, intending to avoid the oppressive practices so easily replicated under the hegemonic views of the knower and reason, which "marginalize and oppress those whose lives, experiences and situations are not included in the theoretical formulations of the "knower". But she suggests that postmodernism cannot but fail in its political strategies, that a feminism of sameness might be a more productive route for feminists, since postmodern feminism results in either no politics, or a politics of difference which advises that "care" extend to as many as possible.

Metaphilosophy, 1996

The Routledge Companion to Feminist Philosophy, 2017

Sociological Theory, 2009

2003

1993

How can we describe the suffering of women, as well as women's strengths and triumphs, without essentializing "Woman"? How can we build a movement around the commonalities of women without ignoring the diversity of women? In her recent book, Beyond Accommodation: Ethical Feminism, Deconstruction, and the Law, Drucilla Cornell presents a way out of this dilemma facing current feminist theory. The escape route is through deconstruction and a particular type of feminine writing that constantly challenges and transforms the meaning of sexual difference. "If there is a central tenet in this book, it is that the condition in which the suffering of all women can be 'seen' and 'heard,' in all of our difference, is that in which the tyranny of established reality is disrupted and the possibility of further feminine resistance and the writing of a different version of the story of sexual difference is continually affirmed."' Cornell begins by criticizing the work of Robin West and Catharine MacKinnon, describing them both as essentialists and explaining why their very different approaches fail to meet the ethical needs of feminism. She uses their failures as guideposts to mark the cliff-edge of essentialism and then she carefully traces a path that can avoid this precipice. She insists that we must affirm the feminine (rather than repudiate it, like MacKinnon), but the affirmation must be metaphoric (unlike West's) to avoid reinstating rigid gender identities. The book is devoted to explaining how such an affirmation of the feminine is possible and what it would mean. Beyond Accommodation is an ambitious and impressive book. Cornell has identified a very important problem in feminist theory and has offered a subtle, detailed, and persuasive part of the solution. The book is required reading for anyone concerned about issues of essentialism and epistemology in feminist theory. Cornell's writing style is a little dense and difficult, but the insights she offers make it worthwhile reading. Her mastery of the literature on t Professor, Indiana University School of Law. I would like to thank Lynne Henderson and David Williams for their comments and suggestions. I would also like to thank all of the participants at the Indiana School of Law faculty seminar where I presented a version of this piece.

Social Semiotics, 2000