Class Wrap Up

So, now that we are entering our last week of class, I thought I would do a review of my impressions of feminist philosophy before and after this class. I view the best way of doing this is through a quick Dialogue between my past self (PS) and my current self (CS).

PS: A woman and philosophy class? Is there even enough material on the subject for there to be a class?

CS: Oh of course past self! Feminist philosophy and thought ranges from ethics to metaphysics, to epistemology even! Feminists have written on old philosophers, new philosophers and have developed their own theories!

PS: Really now? I just find it hard to imagine that the simple idea that 'women are equal with men' to be that influential in a lot of philosophy. For example, how can this idea influence logic?

CS: Although I find problems with calling feminism a 'simple idea,' I can talk about that with you later. TO answer your example about feminism and logic, the first feminist philosopher that comes to my mind is Luce Irigaray. She argued that our entire thought process and interaction in the world was influenced by our concept of patriarchy. That implies that logic itself, as well as everything else we can conceive of has been influenced by patriarchy. Although I have issues with her, this does go to show that feminism can discuss issues like that.

PS: That does sound like an interesting theory. However, don't you think that hearing a bunch of feminist philosophers discuss nothing but patriarchy and the role of women in philosophy a bit repetitive and boring?

CS: Not really. Although feminists do discuss this in depth, claiming that the discussion of  patriarchy and the role of women  is repetitive is a vast mistake. Patriarchy and the role of women is not repetitive at all! It is a very big topic that not only affects the modern world, but has influenced the world up to this point. It is like saying that solely discussing history can be repetitive. It is such a broad topic that one could rarely feel it is repeating itself. One can talk about how Hobbes' patriarchal influences affected his  political philosophy and his contract theory, or one can discuss about the feminist ethics of care."

PS: Alright, I am still a bit hesitant on that, but if you are me from the future, then I better listen to you.

CS: Thank you. I also think you will benefit from the professor. He is a bit corny at times, and he will make you work your ass off, but it will be worth it.

PS: Hrmmm. Alright then, I guess I will give it a shot. Now, as someone who doesn't know much of feminist philosophy, what would you say has been your favorite discussion in the class so far?

CS: That is a very difficult question, because feminist thought we discussed has been very broad and we have discussed so much of it. My favorite part of the class would probably be the analysis of Simone de Beauvoir's section on the role of women in myth and ancient history. I enjoyed reading about the role women have played in religion and read up on the 'mystical feminine.' Perhaps I should pose this to the readers of this blog post as well.

PS: Huh? What are you talking about?

CS: Don't worry about it. I just broke the fourth wall. That's all.

PS: I see. Anyways, thanks for the information. I will see you in a bit!

CS: See you!